Some plants simply sit quietly on windowsills. The poinsettia? It demands the spotlight — bright, bold and as red as Rudolph"s nose. Long before it became a popular Christmas decoration, it grew wild in Mexico, where the Aztecs used its leaves for dyes and its sap for traditional remedies. In the 19th century, it travelled across continents as people admired its vivid colour during colder months, eventually finding its place in winter celebrations around the world.
Poinsettia: A winter classic
Today in History
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Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
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Marigny, New Orleans, USA
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Fiji Day
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Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
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A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
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Corfu at night, Greece
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Death Valley National Park, California, United States
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Spring is the time for billing
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Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
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Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
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Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
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Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States
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Oloupena Falls, island of Molokai, Hawaii, United States
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International Day of the Tropics
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Durga Puja
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Where is this hidden waterfall?
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Rhino mother and calf, Kaziranga National Park, Assam
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Remembering the Mahatma
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A mirror reflecting natures beauty
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Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple Complex, Qena, Egypt
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9,000-year-old handprints
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Hiding in the woods
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Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria
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Leap Day
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The gateway to jungle
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Backwaters of Kerala, India
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Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
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Seljalandsfoss waterfall at sunset, Iceland
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Polar Bear Week
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Angkor, Cambodia
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