This plant is often part of the Christmas decor but interesting that it hasn’t been part of the United State’s holiday tradition until The Ecke family started promoting the plant in the 1920s though it was part of the tradition since the 17th century in Mexico where the plant originated. It is also named after Joel Roberts Poinsett who is the first known person to bring the plant across the border. Learning the history of this plant is not the only surprise for me. It wasn’t until I began drawing the plant that I noticed the alien-like flowers in the center of the famous red leaves.