Why do we capitalize the word Pointsettia?

Pointsettia

Friends of Balboa Park is having a Holiday Celebration to celebrate:
     * 26th Annual Poinsettia Display
     * Botanical Garden Fountains Repair
     * Historical Sign Installation
When: Thursday, Dec 13th from 3:00 -5:00 PM
Where: The wooden lathe Botanical Building
For more info Email: info@friendsofbalboapark.org

Who was the Poinsettia named after?

The botanical name ,Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning ‘very beautiful', had originally been assigned to the plant by the German t, Wilenow in 1833. In 1837,William Hickling Prescott, historian and gardener had been asked to rename it.  At that time Mr. Prescott had just published a book called the ‘Conquest of Mexico’ in which he detailed Joel Robert Poinsett’s discovery of the plant.  Poinsett, appointed by President John Quincy Adams, was the first ambassador to the new Republic of Mexico. While visiting the Taxco region, he discovered the ruby red-bloomed plant and was so fascinated with it that he sent clippings to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States. And that is why the word Pointsettia is traditionally capitalized, because it is named after a person.