By Chelsea Titus
Round Table editor

While serving as the first US Ambassador to Mexico in 1826, Joel Roberts Poinsett noticed a beautiful plant by the side of a road in southern Mexico. Fascinated by the leaves, Poinsett brought it back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. The plant that he discovered in 1826 is now known the poinsettia.

News of the discovery of the “Christmas plant” spread throughout America.

The poinsettia’s original scientific name was euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning “very beautiful,” did not appease the adoring public. “Painted leaf” and “Mexican fire plant” sufficed until the plant was named poinsetta pulcherrima, or more commonly known as “poinsettia”, in honor of Ambassador Poinsett.

Congress even deemed December 12 National Poinsettia Day to commemorate the date of Poinsett’s death.

Middletown High School’s Horticulture class is selling these beautiful poinsettias in pink, red, and white for nine dollars each.

The poinsettias can be picked up around the back of the high school in the greenhouse from eight in the morning until noon, Monday December sixth through Friday the twenty third or until they run out.

Staff members from Middletown Primary, Elementary, Middle, or High School or other FCPS feeder schools can have them delivered to their school.

Order forms can be found at http://mhs.sites.fcps.org/node/1237 to reserve a poinsettia.