John Roberts “Joel’” Poinsett (March 2, 1774 - December 12, 1851)

The Mexicans have their name for the flower (Flor de Nochebuena—Flower of the Most Holy Night) and the scientists have their identifying moniker (The botanical name for  the plants is Euphorbia pulcherrima--pulcherrima means “most beautiful”--by German botanist Wilenow who was dazzled by their color), but how did Americans come to know it as the Poinsettia?

Born in South Carolina in 1774, “Joel” Poinsett became a special agent to South America, served in his state legislature, and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives before heading to Mexico as special envoy. He was the first American ambassador to Mexico (appointed by Andrew Jackson) and was later a Unionist in rebel South Carolina. His outstanding career also included serving as Secretary of War under Martin Van Buren (1837–1841).

But Poinsett is best known for the flower that bears his name. An accomplished botanist, in 1828 he sent some of the brilliant flowers from Mexico to his own nursery in South Carolina, and also to other friends and American horticulturalists, and they thrived.

As the plant became more popular, historian and horticulturalist William Prescott was asked to give the plant a popular name. He chose Poinsettia, honoring Joel Poinsett's contribution.

(A little known fact is that Poinsett was also the person who introduced the American Elm to Mexico, with the end result being a literal swapping of botanical gifts.  Who knows what use the Mexicans made of the American Elm, but without their Flor de Nochebuena, the holiday season just wouldn't be the same for millions of Americans).

Flor de Nochebuena, or Flower of the Holy Night

The Poinsettia,  Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettias were first brought to the USA  in 1828  by Joel Roberts Poinsett

John Roberts “Joel’” Poinsett (March 2, 1774 - December 12, 1851) America's first ambassador to Mexico

 This one-time humble plant has become an international symbol of the holiday season mainly due to the German-American Ecke family   

Albert Ecke, patriarch of the Ecke Family

but the Poinsettia Tradition began long before that…

The poinsettia legend has a poor Mexican girl named Pepita walking with her brother Pedro to Christmas Eve services at the village church where people made gifts to the Christ Child. She was sad as she had no gift.

Pedro said consolingly, "I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." 

So Pepita knelt by the roadside and scooped a handful of common weeds and tried to fashion them into a presentable bouquet. In the chapel, Pepita placed the makeshift bouquet at the foot of the Nativity scene.

Suddenly the weeds burst into beautiful red blooms and all who saw were certain they had witnessed a miracle. From then on, the flower in Mexico became known as the Flor de Nochebuena, or Flower of the Holy Night.