The Poinsettia is a native flower of Mexico and it is now very popular in the United States. It was introduced to America by the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1828. Poinsett found the species on the side of the road in Mexico and took it back to his South Carolina home to grow, and since then the flower has been named after him. The Unites States are now the biggest growers of the Poinsettia, it is grown in all 50 states. The plant has such importance in the United States that the 12 th of December is National Poinsettia Day. Not only does it have its own day, but it is widely referred to in many countries as the Christmas flower as it leaves, or bracts, are a vibrant red. The spectacular color of its leaves is the main reason this flower is so famous. The flower is yellow and much smaller than the leaves. Poinsettias can also come in pink, salmon, cream, apricot, yellow and even speckled varieties.