Poinsettia

Poinsettias are known as La flor de Nochebuena (The Flower of the Good Night) They are a common decoration in Mexico at Christmas. In Mexico, it is a custom to place a gift on the altar for the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.

The legend is that a poor child didn’t have a gift to give and knelt to pray. Where the child knelt, a bouquet of poinsettias sprung up. They were brought to the US by the Ambassador Joel Poinsett, and named in his honor.

Legend of Poinsettia on Youtube Poinsettia Project