In December, poinsettias are seen all over the world. Did you know poinsettias are indigenous to México?
The poinsettia is distinguishable in the month of December, in Mexican customs and traditions. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, the Christmas flower.
The scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima, of the euphorbiáceas family of the plant kingdom. (The plant family Euphorbiáceas is composed of over 7200 species, distributed all over the world, and most abundant in warm regions.)
The poinsettia is one of the most cultivated plants in the world, and varies according to the region in which it is grown.
Origin of Poinsettia
The poinsettia is indigenous to tropical regions in México, principally the municipality of Taxco, in the state of Guerrero.
Known to the Aztecs as Cuetlaxóchitl (which means xochitl flower of cuetlaxtli leather hide/leatherskin; due to the rough consistency of the petals), it was used in traditional medicine, ceremonies and rituals. Dyes were made from the petals and it was also offered to the Sun god.
It was in this locality of the state of Guerrero, where historians believe Spanish Franciscan priests adorned nativity scenes with these plants during the Christmas season in the 1500’s .
Since the sixteenth century the plant and leaves are used as a medicinal plant. Its leaves are also used for wounds and injuries.
In 1828, Joel Robert Poinsett, the first American ambassador in México, took many poinsettia plants to the United States and so began its widespread fame. Prior to his arrival the plant was known as the “Mexican flame flower”.
In México, the poinsettia plant is known by at least 15 names, including various indigenous terms.
Description
The poinsettia is a shrub. It can grow to a small tree size, to 4 meters in height. The plant consists of a milky liquid. The leaves are dark green, oblong, in a dentate shape. The brachts which are leaves borne on a floral axis, subtending a flower cluster, appear as flower petals; due to the variety of pigmentation and groupings.
Special Features of Poinsettias
The poinsettia plant cannot receive direct sunlight. The brachts require darkness/abundant indirect lighting prior to changing color. These influorescent plants then change leaf color from dark green to intense red with abundant sunlight. The plants require minimum watering.
The brachts cannot get wet, otherwise they will stain.
Habitat of the poinsettia
México is the only place in the world where ponsettias grow wild, although the natural habitat of wild poinsettias is becoming increasingly fragmented.
The natural state of poinsettias runs along the Pacific coast, from the state of Sinaloa to the country of Guatemala, and from the center of the state of Guerrero to the south of the state of Morelos.
Poinsettias are mainly cultivated in the Mexican states of Morelos, Michoacán, Jalisco, Puebla, the state of México and México City.
Production of poinsettias
Due to the economic importance, cultivation, growth, and storage methods have been efficiently perfected, such that poinsettias are sent to many parts of the world.
Currently, México occupies the fourth place in the world of poinsettia cultivation. Commercialization takes place for about six weeks of the year and most potted plants are sold around the world.
México produces more than 30 varieties of poinsettia. The most common are Freedom, Subdiji and Prestige Red (the traditional poinsettia). The majority of poinsettia varieties are exported to the United States.
These varieties represent 70 percent of the poinsettia production in Mexico City. Others include Joy Pink, White Red Angel y Festival, varieties of diverse colors such as red, yellow, pink, white, striped and marbled.
Furthermore, Mexican producers are currently working on the development of unique varieties.
References
Government of México Día Nacional de la Nochebuena | Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales | Gobierno | gob.mx
México Desconocido
Author: AllMexico.store
Read more about the Christmas season in Mexico.
