<P> The poinsettia is native to Mexico . It is found in the wild in deciduous tropical forests at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala . It is also found in the interior in the hot, seasonally dry forests of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas . Reports of E. pulcherrima growing in the wild in Nicaragua and Costa Rica have yet to be confirmed by botanists . </P> <P> The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication . In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called Cuitlaxochitl, meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil" Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as Flor de Noche Buena, meaning Christmas Eve Flower . In Spain it is known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Easter flower . In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as Crown of the Andes . In Hungarian, it is called Santa Claus' Flower, and is widely used as a Christmas decoration . </P> <P> The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th - century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or Maria, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar . Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias . From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations . The star - shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus . </P> <P> Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America . They are available in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores . In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day . </P>

Where does the tradition of poinsettias come from
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