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By NANCY SECRIST
Extension Agent
The poinsettia is a very interesting and cherished emblem of the Christmas holiday period. It is a truly .American tradition because fthis tropical plant is native to Mexico.
In terms of its modern use, the plant was discovered by Dr. Joel Poinsett of Charleston, S. C., in 1828. He was serving as our first minister to Mexico, as a member of the diplomatic corp. At that time, the plant was called Flower of the Holy Night, or Flame Leaf. Dr. Poinsett sent cuttings to a nurseryman in Philadelphia who specialized in collecting new plants.
The conspicuous feature of the poinsettia is not a flower, but actually a collection of colored leaves or bracts. These grow around small inconspicuous yellow flowers at the top of the plant. On the native plants, these bracts are relatively small, but have an attractive red color.
Credit for the improvement of the poinsettia should be given to Albert Ecke of California. This Swiss farmer applied modern growing and plant breeding techniques to increase the size of the bracts, and intensify their color. He made his first sale of superior selections in 1906.
Paul Ecke has carried on the work of his father ?nd further improved this unique flower. He has developed new varieties which hold their foliage longer, and may be
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