Home Health & Nature The Christmas Flower – One of Mexico’s Exotic Treats!

The Christmas Flower – One of Mexico’s Exotic Treats!

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Mexico is Rich with Plants and Flowers

Mexico is a beautiful country that is rich with a wide variety of plants and flowers. There are an estimated 20,000 – 30,000 different species of plants growing in Mexico, which is considered to be one of the most diverse nations in the world for flowers.

Flor de Noche Buena (Poinsettias)

One of the most popular Mexican flowers is the “Flor de Noche Buena” – the Christmas flower. These flowers come from Taxco, Guerrero. The ancient Aztecs called them “cuetlaxochitl.”

In the USA, these flowers are called Poinsettias, named after Mexican Ambassador Joel Poinsett, who introduced them to the U.S.A. in 1828. The bright red petals and rich green foliage appear annually around Christmas time, making the poinsettia a decoration necessity every holiday season or winter wedding. The tree grows wild throughout the countryside.

Tithonias

Tithonias, also known as Mexican sunflowers, are members of the daisy family and date back to 3000 B.C. Mayan descendants called them “da nukha,” which means “big flower that looks at the sun god.”

Mexican sunflowers are annual plants that have orange-red blossoms and can grow up to 30 inches in height and up to 4 inches in diameter.

Tithonias are good ornamental flowers and are a beautiful touch for special events and occasions.

Bird of Paradise

The name of this flower comes from its spectacular shape, which resembles a bird’s beak and head plumage. Bird of Paradise, also known as Crane flowers, is one of the most beautiful and is frequently used for beachside weddings.

The plant works well in formal arrangements and as a prominent feature of open tropical garden spaces.

The Dahlia

The Dahlia, which boasts over thirty-six species, has been the national flower of Mexico since 1963. The dahlia is known for its stunning and brightly colored petals, which come in red, orange, yellow, pink, and white and grow from two to ten inches in diameter. Vivid colors and a wide variety set the dahlia apart from other native flowers.