Poinsettia or Christmas flower 12 Dec 2024

Poinsettia or Christmas flower

Here"s the red poinsettia, one of the plants synonymous with the holiday season in the United States. With its striking star-shaped leaves, the poinsettia has become a symbol of Christmas cheer, brightening homes and public spaces during winter. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico, introduced these vibrant plants to America in the 1820s. He discovered them while exploring the Taxco region in Guerrero. So taken by their beauty, he sent clippings back to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.

© David Hosking/NPL/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Christmas flowers
12 Dec 2023Reed bunting
12 Dec 2025National Poinsettia Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

25 Dec 2025Merry Christmas!
8 Jun 2024European hare
18 Jun 2025Pollinator Week
14 Jan 2025Village of Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz, Spain
3 Oct 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
22 Jan 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
4 Dec 2023International Cheetah Day
A time-worn mediaeval marvel
7 Dec 2025A pine forest in Alsace, France
What are these colorful insects?
28 Aug 2025Great white egret, Hungary
6 Jun 2024The 80th anniversary of D-Day
Happy St Andrews Day!
The worlds most exclusive beach?
Turquoise delight
21 May 2024RHS Chelsea Flower Show
25 Jul 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
17 Jan 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
Where can you find this cute creature?
7 May 2024A duckling swimming in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
World Rivers Day
22 Nov 2023Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
16 Oct 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington, USA
6 Apr 2025Gaztelugatxe islet, Basque Country, Spain
10 Jan 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee, Zermatt, Switzerland
Clouds dance above Sundance
The Town of Books
15 Nov 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
23 Feb 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
The cliffs and canyons of Zion National Park