This article is the first of a two part series on Poinsettias.

The plant we know today as the poinsettia has a long and interesting history. Did you know that this beautiful plant that you place in your home during the holidays was once used as a fever medicine? Native to Central America, the plant flourished in an area of Southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon. The ancient Aztecs had a name for this plant found blooming in the tropical highlands during the short days of winter - cuetlaxochitl. Cuetlaxochitl literally means - The flower of leather petals.

The plant was not merely used as decorative, the Aztecs put the plant to practical use. From its bracts they extracted a purplish dye for use in textiles and cosmetics. The milky white sap, today called latex, was also made into a preparation to treat fevers.

In the 17th century, Juan Balme, a botanist, noted the poinsettia plant in his writings. The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow. The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning "very beautiful."

The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant for many years to come had it not been for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779 - 1851). The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825 - 1829) by President Madison. Poinsett had attended medical school himself, but his real love in the scientific field was botany. (Mr. Poinsett later founded the institution which we know today as the Smithsonian Institution).

Poinsett maintained his own hothouses on his Greenville, South Carolina plantations, and while visiting the Taxco area in 1828, he became enchanted by the brilliant red blooms he saw there. He immediately sent some of the plants back to South Carolina, where he began propagating the plants and sending them to friends and botanical gardens.

Today, the Poinsettias come in many colors. Red, White, Pink, Jingle Bells and Monet are just some of the varieties you will find available for a favorite holiday plant.

There are several interesting legends attached to the poinsettia plant as well. One story indicates that a poor Mexican girl and her brother brought it as a gift for the baby Jesus, and that's how it got the name - Flower of the Holy Night. The plants shape has been suggested to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, with the leaves symbolizing the blood of Christ, and the white leaves, His purity.

Well enough of the history and legends of this beautiful plant. Here are some important care tips for your holiday Poinsettia:

• The Poinsettia plant does not like the cold, so it is important to never leave your poinsettia in an unheated cold car, or a drafty entry way in your home.
• Place your plant in a bright location, however a filtered light area in the home is best to encourage the plant from dropping its leaves or having the leaves turn yellow.
• Be sure to let the soil dry out between watering. The pot will be light when lifted if it is in need of water. Please note a slight drooping of the leaves is tolerable between watering of the plant, but don't let the plants droop hard.
• It is recommended to take your plant out of the foil which is normally wrapped around the plants pot when you are watering it. Do not leave the plant with standing water in the saucer. It is not good to have them setting in water between watering.
• Remember to keep standing plants away from heating vents in the home. The perfect temperature for extending the longevity of your poinsettia plant is between 65 & 70 degrees.

Next week in part two of our series, we will offer some additional suggestions for keeping your Poinsettia beautiful all year long.