Red poinsettias

© Yarygin/Getty Image

Paint your world red. Red poinsettia

During the holiday season, poinsettias are often seen adorning homes and festive displays, serving as symbols of goodwill and community spirit. Named after the American ambassador Joel Poinsett, who introduced it to North America in the 19th century, the poinsettia's association with Christmas has made it a cherished symbol of warmth and celebration. Poinsettias can be found in nature from Mexico to Guatemala, and the ancestors of the modern, commercially available version have been traced to the Mexican state of Guerrero. The crimson-leaved plant was used by the Aztecs as a red dye and as a fever-reducing medicine.