Young girl holding a  Poinsetta and looking at the stars

The Giving Flower

First, the flower grew wild―a yellow blossom with bracts that turn brilliant red in winter. The ancient Nahuas cultivated it; then it inspired Mexico's most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of Mexico's first US ambassador, it became known as the Poinsettia. Yet it has many more names and traditions―and even more colors!