Poinsettia, The Christmas Flower Blooms In Port

Poinsettia by the hundreds are pampered to perfection by Dominick Strippoli in his greenhouses at as he has done for the past 15 years. 

These perky potted plants are thought to resemble the shape of the Star of Bethlehem that the Three Wise Men followed to visit the baby Jesus. They are now  debuting for the holiday season in displays all around town at churches, country clubs and residences. 

While these striking floral shrubs come in a variety of colors, the brilliant red poinsettia has become a favorite Christmas symbol and is known as "The Flower of the Holy Night." The flower part called "cyathia" is actually a small, yellow cluster and is surrounded by special large leaves called bracts. The traditional combination of the red and green bracts make it a popular decoration. 

Contemporary white, pink and coral and marbelized variations are also spectacular and come in a variety of sizes.  

Native to Mexico, where it grows wild, the poinsettia was associated with a 16th century Christmas folk legend. It was first introduced here in the early 19th century by amateur botantist Joel Roberts Poinsett, American statesman and first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. 

Fans of "Euphorbia Pulcherrima" can rejoice and celebrate this beautiful flower on December 12th,  National Poinsettia Day, and enjoy it for months to follow if they give it TLC.

Learn more about poinsettias.