How did poinsettias become the Christmas flower? Do poinsettias come in any other color besides red?

The natural red flowers and green foliage fit our Christmas colors and have made the poinsettia the most popular. Poinsettias are available in an increasing variety of colors selected by greenhouse growers throughout the country. Other colors besides red that are available in most stores are white, pink and bicolor red and white. You will find the greatest variety at local retail greenhouse growers. I was in Israel a few years ago and saw pink poinsettias sold in the springtime.

The poinsettia is a native of Mexico, where it was used for medicinal purposes by the Aztecs. In 1825, Joel Poinsett, a botanist who was ambassador to Mexico, was captivated by the beauty of the plant, which natur

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