As the season of Christmas rolls around, the role that the flower plays in embellishing the decorative trappings becomes more and more obvious. Whether on Christmas tree, in wreaths and bouquets, or in corsages, many varieties of flowers are aesthetically employed with spectacular effect. Over time, the following species have now become synonymous with the season: -

Let us briefly explore the origins of these flowers.

POINSETTA.

Clearly one of the most delightful decorations at Christmas, the poinsettia is traditionally known for its deep, vibrant red hue. Today, a wide array of other colors are available, including pink, white, marbled, speckled, and yellow. What makes the poinsetta so unique is that its most colorful parts are not its flowers, but rather, its bracts, which are actually modified leaves. Its small flowers, themselves green or yellow, are situated in the middle of the bracts.

The word poinsetta has been derived from the name of Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett - the first American ambassador to Mexico. He has been given the credit for introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States of America.

There is also a Mexican legend surrounding the poinsetta because of which it has become known as the 'Flores de Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the Holy Night'. Said legend serves to reinforce the truism that even the most humble gift, given in love, will be acceptable in God's eyes.

The poinsetta is packaged for distribution in a pot or some such receptacle. Being a fairly sturdy plant, it can be made to re-bloom at subsequent Christmas seasons if afforded due care and attention.

NARCISSUS.

In Greek methodology, Narcissus was the handsome son of the river god Cephissus. He spurned the love of many beautiful maidens including the nymph, Echo. Unfortunately, Echo had incurred the wrath of the goddess Hera who condemned her to never speak again except to repeat what was said to her - therefore one could understand the severe limitations she faced to express her heart's desire.

This lovelorn nymph was so crushed by Narcissus' unkind rejection of her advances that she hid in a cave and pined away until nothing was left but her voice. The goddess Nemesis quickly avenged Echo's death by causing Narcissus to fall hopeless in love with his own handsome face, which he saw reflected in the garden pool. As he looked incessantly at his own image, he could not bear to part company with it, so he remained transfixed in the same position until freed by death. Eventually a beautiful flower grew on that very spot honouring his name and memory.

The narcissus is employed in the creation of bouquets or corsages.

HOLLY.

The holly (also the ivy and mistletoe) was a very important plant to the Druids, as it was believed that good spirits lived in its branches. This belief was reinforced by the fact that when the sacred oak lost it leaves, the holly kept the earth beautiful by maintaining its own shiny green leaves and red berries.

Christians believed that the berries had been white before they were turned red by Christ's blood when He was made to wear the crown of thorns. This tree has come to stand for a symbol of peace and has often been used as the place to quell arguments and even more violent differences.

Normally at Christmas, the holly operates in close league with the ivy (hence the term 'ivy league'?). The ivy was associated with the Roman god Bacchus, therefore was not allowed by the Church as decoration until later in the middle-ages, when superstition arose that it could help recognize witches and protect against plague. This plant has become a symbol of new promise and eternal life in the Christian world.

Please tolerate this digression but I could not resist a couple sentences on that third plant of the Druidian triad - the mistletoe - a flower very dear to my heart (for obvious reasons).

The mistletoe is an aerial parasite that lives off the tree that it attaches itself to. A Nordic myth proffers that Frigga, the goddess of love brought her dead son, Balder (god of the summer sun) back to life after he was mortally wounded by an arrow shot by the Hoder, the blind god of winter. Her tears formed its pearly white berries and in her joy, Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which it grew. This act has evolved and today, at Christmas time, a lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed by a volunteering male, or vice versa.

[P.S. The author goes through great pains and personal sacrifice to honour this tradition by keeping fresh sprigs of the plant safely tucked away in his pocket throughout the Christmas season and using his six-foot- plus frame to good advantage.]

The holly (together with the ivy and the mistletoe) is usually incorporated into wreaths that are displayed on ceilings, doors and walls.

The wonder of Christmas is even more real as we surround ourselves with the beauty of the holiday season as is portrayed by the gorgeous flowers that abound at this time of year. Fa-la-la-la-lahh!! La-la-la-lahh!!!!