The poinsettia was cultivated by the Aztecs of Mexico long before the introduction of Christianity to the Western Hemisphere. During the 17th century, Franciscan priests in Mexico began to use the flower in nativity processions because of its brilliant color and holiday bloom. There are many legends surrounding this flower. The brief version of one of the legend is that a poor girl in Mexico had nothing to give the Christ Child on his birthday. She picked some weeds and when she presented her gift, a miracle took place and they became a beautiful red bloom. The poinsettia is now known in Mexico as Flores de Noche Buena or flowers of the holy night.
