Who was the poinsettia named after?

Answer 1

The French language is the source of the word "poinsettia" (Eurphorbia pulcherrima).

Specifically, the word adds to the French family name Poinsett the suffix "-ia." Joel Roberts Poinsett (March 2, 1779 - December 12, 1851) is the individual responsible for the introduction of the December-blooming plant into the United States of America. As a trained botanist, he noticed the plant in its native habitat in southwestern Mexico. He realized the scientific interest and the cultural import of such a beautiful, late-flowering plant and began sending specimens to select botanist friends in 1828.

Answer 2

The plant is commonly known as poinsettia after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the US in 1825.

• Gurjot Singh Sodhi

Answer 3

"Cuitlaxochitl" is the name of the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in its country of origin.

Specifically, southwestern Mexico is the plant's original homeland. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs of ancient Mexico. The name combines the Nahuatl word "cuitlatl" ("residue") with that for "xochitl" ("flower").

Taxco de Alarcón is considered the precise area of origin of the plant. That area of Mexico is not known to be the point of origin of the Aztecs. So it is possible that there is an earlier name whose existence and meaning have been lost with time.

Answer 4

They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.