Joel Roberts Poinsett (1799-1851) served in the South Carolina and U.S. Houses of Representatives, supported the founding of the Smithsonian Institution, traveled all over Europe and South America, married, and studied plants in his spare time.
In 1826, while serving as the first US Ambassador to Mexico, Poinsett noticed the poinsettia by the side of a road in Southern Mexico. Fascinated by the leaves, Poinsett brought it back to his greenhouse in South Carolina.
The poinsettia has a history with the American public. In the 1830's, the future Christmas plant's popularity spread throughout America. The poinsettia's original scientific name euphorbia pulcherrima, or "very beautiful, " did not suit the adoring public. "Painted leaf" and "Mexican fire plant" sufficed until the plant was named poinsetta pulcherrima, or "poinsettia", in honor of Ambassador Poinsett. Congress even deemed December 12 National Poinsettia Day to commemorate the date of Poinsett's death.
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