His love of botany and the "coincidence" of having a greenhouse in South Carolina, he sent plants back home where he shared the plants with friends and botanical gardens. The sap(known today as latex) has been used to treat fevers. The bracts of the plant provided purple dye. Montezuma loved them and had them brought into Mexico City by the "caravan loads." Some have claimed this plant is dangerous. Most recent info says it is not. Historian and horticulturist William Prescott was asked to give the plant a name. Having just finished a book about the Conquest of Mexico, he was familiar with the fact that Joel Poinsett had introduced this plant to the U.S. Thus, we have the Poinsettia.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING "MUSINGS". HOPE YOU WILL SIGN MY GUESTBOOK AND FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL POST. COMMENTS OPTION IS AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH POST. I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND RETURN OFTEN!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
THE FLOWER...A BIT OF HISTORY...
During his stint as US ambassador to Mexico (the 1st, by Pres. Madison) Joel R. Poinsett came across a plant, native to Southern Mexico, with an incredibly beautiful red bloom. 
His love of botany and the "coincidence" of having a greenhouse in South Carolina, he sent plants back home where he shared the plants with friends and botanical gardens. The sap(known today as latex) has been used to treat fevers. The bracts of the plant provided purple dye. Montezuma loved them and had them brought into Mexico City by the "caravan loads." Some have claimed this plant is dangerous. Most recent info says it is not. Historian and horticulturist William Prescott was asked to give the plant a name. Having just finished a book about the Conquest of Mexico, he was familiar with the fact that Joel Poinsett had introduced this plant to the U.S. Thus, we have the Poinsettia.
His love of botany and the "coincidence" of having a greenhouse in South Carolina, he sent plants back home where he shared the plants with friends and botanical gardens. The sap(known today as latex) has been used to treat fevers. The bracts of the plant provided purple dye. Montezuma loved them and had them brought into Mexico City by the "caravan loads." Some have claimed this plant is dangerous. Most recent info says it is not. Historian and horticulturist William Prescott was asked to give the plant a name. Having just finished a book about the Conquest of Mexico, he was familiar with the fact that Joel Poinsett had introduced this plant to the U.S. Thus, we have the Poinsettia.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment