 |
| 28 Elliott St., Charleston, S.C. |
You see them everywhere at Christmas time - lush red poinsettia plants. I knew they had a Charleston connection and the sign caught my eye on my walk yesterday. This brick building was the Poinsett Tavern. It looks like it was Elisha Poinsett's descendant who became the Mexican Ambassador who loved plants and brought the Poinsettia back to the U.S. It does seem like the red flowers in the window box should be poinsettia's shouldn't they?
The poinsettia got its name, not from a horticulturist or plant
person, but one of Americas notorious and outstanding Congressmen and
physicians, Joel Roberts Poinsett. Mr. Poinsett was appointed as the
Ambassador to Mexico by United States President John Quincy Adams in the
early 1820s. Joel Poinsett had an interest in botany, and as a result,
he would introduce plants into Mexico during his travels there as
ambassador.
During his visits to Mexico he would wander the country
looking for new plant species.On one occasion he was walking
along the side of a road and came upon a rather interesting shrub that
had large beautiful red flowers. He took cuttings from the plant and
took them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. Even though
Joel Roberts Poinsett was very dutiful in his appointment as Ambassador
to Mexico and Congressman, he will always be remembered for introducing
the Poinsettia to the United States.
6 comments:
Had no idea. Fascinating! My Dad used to fill our foyer with these holiday reds.
How interesting....I am always learning something from your posts....thanks....& happy holidays!
It is such a relief that he brought back the red holiday plant and not poison ivy!
Have a Merry Christmas, Joan.
The old tavern's such a beautiful building!
I still prefer the Mexican name Flor de Noche Buena, or just Noche Buena. But good on Mr. Poinsett for bringing them to the U.S. and our local Safeway stores. :^)
The old congressman is buried at the beautiful Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg, in Sumter County.
Post a Comment