When Ambassador Joel Roberts Poinsett visited southern Mexico in 1828, he had no inkling that he would make botanical history. He was probably hot and thirsty when he first spotted the plants, covered in red leaves, that would later bear his name. Poinsett, you see, besides being the first United States ambassador to Mexico, was a keen botanist. He had built greenhouses in his native South Carolina to propagate favorite plants.

The red plants fascinated him. They resembled blooming spurge, which he had often prescribed in his medical practice. When broken, the stems of the two different plants exuded a milky sap.

Yet the plant Joel Poinsett witnessed had not yet been given an official scientific name. He collected several examples, shipped them to South Carolina and gave them to friends. Eventually the plant was scientifically named Euphorbia pulcherrima (most beautiful euphorbia) but those struck by its beauty named it after its discoverer: the poinsettia.

Few plants are so closely associated with a holiday than poinsettia. The yellow flowers surrounded by solid red bracts have given way to striking combinations of white, red and pink. Remember, "bracts" are the correct name for the colorful modified leaves surrounding small yellow flowers on a poinsettia. Here are some special ones you'll see at Pike Family Nursery this season.

'Sonora White Glitter' has very distinct whitish flecks against dark red bracts - making it one of the best "jingle bell" types available. 'Cortez® Burgundy' sports beautiful dark burgundy bracts. 'Chianti Red' displays rich, wine-colored, serrated bracts. The flowers are replaced by brightly colored nectaries in the center, adding to a strikingly unique appearance.'Strawberries and Cream' has distinct cream and dark pink bi-colored bracts, with slightly serrated foliage. 'Monet' blooms in multi-colored cream/rose/pink bracts. The color deepens as the bract matures, creating an ever-changing holiday palette.

A final note about poinsettias: they are NOT poisonous. Although the milky sap might mildly irritate skin or eyes, the leaves are no danger to children or pets.

Another common holiday plant is Norfolk Island pine. It can be decorated with ribbon, lights or tinsel and then kept as an indoor plant. Despite its ”pine” name, Norfolk Island is in the tropics. Your Norfolk Island pine can go outdoors on a patio during the summer but must be brought indoors each fall.

Potted amaryllis bulbs are one of the best holiday gifts. The recipient gets to watch a sturdy green stem slowly rise for a week and is then treated to huge flowers on top. Red is the traditional amaryllis flower color but the blooms of newer varieties range from white to peach to cream.

As an added treat, holiday amaryllis bulbs can be planted outdoors in May. In a sunny spot, they will bloom in early June in succeeding years. Don't forget to keep the upper third of the bulb (the neck) aboveground when you plant.

For a beautiful but less common holiday gift or decoration, consider an ivy topiary. They are perfect for low-light situations indoors. Wrap the greenery with a battery-powered strand of miniature lights and use it for a festive table centerpiece!

It is unlikely that a common weed, which rises to international fame, will be named in your honor but stay open to the possibilities this season. Perhaps your skill at decorating with holiday plants will spread far and wide instead!