Poinsettia.

The poinsettia is indigenous to Mexico. The Aztecs used the plant as decoration, also for a purplish dye for textiles and cosmetics. The milky, white sap, now known as latex, was made into a preparation to treat fevers. Named after Joel Roberts Poinsett 1779 - 1851, who was the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, and the founder of the Smithsonian Institution. He was enchanted by the blooms and sent some back to his S.Carolina home, where he propagated them and gave them to friends.  and several Botanical Gardens.