According to Ivette Gonzales of the Orlando Hispanic Culture and writer in the online newspaper Examiner, Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) stakes its origin from Mexico and Central America. Poinsettias are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who introduced the flower to the U.S. in 1828. 

It is indigenous to wild tropical forests or hot and dry forest areas in the Central American and Mexico region. They are small trees or shrubs with bright flaming red, pink, cream, pale green, white or marbled coloured leaves. The actual flowers are the small yellow bulbs in the center of these colourful leaves and are small in comparison to the rest of the plant.

Legend
Today the poinsettia is attributed to Christmas and is usually found in flower shop, stores due to the history of its origin. This began in the 16th century in Mexico where legend tells of a child who was too poor to give a gift on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. An angel inspires the child to gather weeds and give this as a humble gift to the baby, for any gift from the heart is worthy. When the child places the weeds on the church alter they [bloom] crimson colour and become the poinsettias therefore beginning a Christmas miracle.

Today the poinsettia is called Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) by the Mexican and Central American people.
Later in the 17th century Franciscan Friars from Mexico would include the plants in their Christmas decorations and celebrations therefore starting the Christmas tradition. The star-shaped leaf pattern represents the Star of Bethlehem (the star the wise men followed to get to Jesus) and the red colour represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus. 

Now the poinsettia is a common Christmas tradition decorating offices, homes, churches and businesses all over. It even has its own national holiday with December 12th being "Poinsettia Day" in America.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS