The poinsettia flower originated in Mexico

The bright red leaf plant is one of the most popular during the Christmas holidays. The Poinsettia is also known as the Christmas Star and Mexican Flame Leaf. In Mexico, it’s called nochebuena, or night good.

The Poinsettia was used in the pre-Hispanic era as medicine. The red leaves were also used to make red dye. The Poinsettia got its name from the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Robert Poinsett. He found the plant in Mexico and introduced it to the United States in 1825.