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Christmas plants are flowers or vegetation from garden plants associated with the festive season of Christmas. There are also a wide variety of plants that include "Christmas" in their common name.
Christmas Bell is one name given to Sandersonia ssp, A genus of South African plants.
Decorative plants for Christmas celebrations may include species of Viscum , Lycopodium cernuum , and Acanthus ilicifolius . [1]
Monterey Cypress trees are often used as Christmas trees due to their conical shape and their longevity once cut. [2] [3]
Species used as Christmas trees include monkey puzzle trees, Casuarina equisetifolia , and C. junghuhniana . [1]
Plants commonly used for Christmas decoration and symbolism across Europe include ivy, mistletoe and holly. Ivy leaves are seen as symbolizing eternity and resurrection.
Christmas wreaths originated in Europe, and are traditionally made with spruce, pine or cedar branches, pinecones from evergreen trees, and holly berries or branches.
The badnjak or budnik is a custom shared across the Balkan region involving a tree, tree branches, or a log being brought into the home and burned. The tradition may differ between countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia.
The chichilaki is the traditional Georgian Christmas tree, and is made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches that are shaved and shaped into a tree shape. They may be decorated with small fruits and berries.
Some common plants used to decorate in this region include English holly, winterberry, witch hazel, and Nordmann fir, which is commonly used in sprays. [1] Lichens and mosses may be used as decorative garlands. [1]
Plants specific to German sprays include acacia foliage and the cone-bearing branches of Douglas firs. [1]
The Advent wreath specifically dates back to German Lutherans in the 1830s, although there are claims they can be traced back to the 16th century. [4]
Traditional decorative Christmas plants include holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. Other plants, like Jerusalem cherry, English ivy, and potted azaleas, may also be encountered. [1]
Tio de Nadal is a tradition from the Catalan region involving a log which is propped up and given a face. If the children of the home care for the log properly, it will defecate presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Some plants used for wreaths and sprays include English holly, cherry laurel, and Portugal laurel. [1] By the end of the Middle Ages, English church records commonly referred to buying holly and ivy for seasonal decor. [4] It was also common for wealthy households to buy greenery, also for decorative purposes; this is reflected in the 16th century Welsh carol, Deck the Halls . [4] In the Tudor period, kissing boughs were a popular decoration, made by covering crossed hoops with available greenery. By the Georgian period, these boughs had become more elaborate, using apples and oranges. [4] In the Victorian era, garlands made of holly and fir were popular decorations. [4]
The yule log is a tradition in many Germanic countries, but has also become popular in the UK.
One older tradition involves bringing potted cherry or hawthorn trees indoors, so that they can flower at Christmastime. [1]
Christmas Cactus, thus called because of when it flowers, is native to Brazil but is a popular ornamental plant in North America. Varieties include Schlumbergera opuntioides , Schlumbergera kautskyi , and Schlumbergera microsphaerica .
Historically, the Christmas tree of choice in the Caribbean has been the Caribbean pine, inkberry, or juniper. [1] [5] Festive flowering plants used for decoration include poinsettia, Porana pamiculala , and Antigonon leptopus . [1]
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and its Central American neighbors.
Radishes feature in the Christmas season tradition of Noche de Rábanos, or Night of the Radishes which is held on December 23 in Oaxaca City, Mexico. During the event participants carve large radishes into elaborate scenes.
Christmas trees and wreaths were brought to the United States by various communities of European settlers and immigrants. The specific species of tree used for these traditions differs depending on region. On the west coast, the Douglas fir has historically been the species of choice when it comes to Christmas trees, while in Appalachia the Fraser fir is more popular. [1]
In California wreaths have been made from coast redwood and hollyleaf cherry. [1] Plants used in decorative arrangements include Christmas-berry, cypress, firethorn, and pepper-tree. [1] In the southern part of the state decorative plants may also include citrus plants, eucalyptus, magnolias, and poinsettias. [1]
In Texas and Louisiana decorative plants include Christmas fern, chrysanthemums, holly, American mistletoe, and poinsettias. [1] Historically, Spanish moss and ball moss might be dipped in flour while wet. Once dry, they could be used as snowball decorations. [1]
In southeast region of the country, decorative plants include camellias, holly, mistletoe, privet, quince, and Magnolia grandiflora . [1] Wreaths and sprays may be made from the longleaf pine and the Australian pine. [1]
Along the Gulf Coast, several different types of palms are used as decorative plants, including Sabal palletto , the royal palm, Washingtonia robusta , and Phoenix canariesis. [1]
The name Tasmanian Christmas Bell is applied in Australia to Blandfordia ssp., including Blandfordia punicea.
Several different species of plants in Australia are referred to as Christmas Bush, including:
Several plants in Australia are referred to or used as Christmas trees, including Nuytsia floribunda and the Norfolk Island Pine, which is commonly sold in Australian stores during the Christmas season and is usually marketed as a "Living Christmas tree". [8]
Pōhutukawa, sometimes called the New Zealand Christmas Tree, has bright red flowers which usually appear in December.
Alstroemeria pulchella , known as the New Zealand Christmas bell, is a popular ornamental plant during the Christmas season.
Christmas tree is applied to a number of plants:
Christmas rose can be any of the following:
Other plants with "Christmas" in their name include:
A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas.
The poinsettia is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6 to 4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a ring shape.
Hedera, commonly called ivy, is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan. Several species are cultivated as climbing ornamentals, and the name ivy especially denotes common ivy, known in North America as "English ivy", which is frequently planted to clothe brick walls.
Kadomatsu are traditional Japanese decorations made for the New Year. They are a type of yorishiro, or objects intended to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest. Kadomatsu are usually placed in pairs in front of homes and buildings.
A Christmas decoration is any of several types of ornamentation used at Christmastide and the greater holiday season. The traditional colors of Christmas are pine green (evergreen), snow white, and heart red. Gold and silver are also prevalent, as are other metallic colours. Typical images on Christmas decorations include Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, angels, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, and the star of Bethlehem. Advent wreaths, nativity scenes, illuminations, and Moravian stars are popular Christmas decorations.
"The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional British folk Christmas carol, listed as number 514 in the Roud Folk Song Index. The song can be traced only as far as the early nineteenth century, but the lyrics reflect an association between holly and Christmas dating at least as far as medieval times. The lyrics and melody varied significantly in traditional communities, but the song has since become standardised. The version which is now popular was collected in 1909 by the English folk song collector Cecil Sharp in the market town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, England, from a woman named Mary Clayton.
On Nature's Trail was a television show produced by the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting in 1978. The show featured Elmer and Jean Worthley observing and discussing plants growing at different locations in Baltimore County, Maryland. Observations were made at the same locations during the Spring, Summer and Fall.
Festive ecology explores the relationships between the symbolism and the ecology of the plants, fungi and animals associated with cultural events such as festivals, processions, and special occasions. Examples of topics are given below.
Christmas flowers are the popular flowers used during the festive season of Christmas. In many nations, seasonal flowers and plants such as Poinsettia, Christmas cactus, holly, Christmas rose, ivy and mistletoe form a major part of traditional Christmas decoration.
Christmas tree cultivation is an agricultural, forestry, and horticultural occupation which involves growing pine, spruce, and fir trees specifically for use as Christmas trees.
Ceratopetalum gummiferum, the New South Wales Christmas bush, is a tall shrub or small tree popular in cultivation due to its sepals that turn bright red-pink at around Christmas time. The petals are actually small and white - it is the sepals that enlarge to about 12mm after the flower sets fruit and starts to dry out.
Ilex or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. Ilex has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards.
The Propagation of Christmas trees is the series of procedures carried out to grow new Christmas trees.
Phoradendron tomentosum, the leafy mistletoe, hairy mistletoe or Christmas mistletoe, is a plant parasite. It is characterized by its larger leaves and smaller berries than dwarf mistletoe. Leafy mistletoe seldom kill but they do rob their hosts of moisture and some minerals, causing stress during drought and reducing crop productions on fruit and nut trees. Leafy mistletoe has the ability to photosynthesize on its own but it relies on other plants in order to obtain its nutrients. It attaches itself to a tree and then grows haustoria, in order to get the food and water it needs.
Christmas in Mexico is observed from December 12 to January 6, with one additional celebration on February 2. Traditional decorations displayed on this holiday include nativity scenes, poinsettias, and Christmas trees. The season begins with celebrations related to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico, followed by traditions such as Las Posadas and Pastorelas.
The hanging of the greens is a Western Christian ceremony in which many congregations and people adorn their churches, as well as other buildings, with Advent and Christmas decorations. This is done on or directly before the start of the Advent season, in preparation for Christmastide. The service involves the placement of evergreen vegetation in the parish. Items such as the evergreen wreath, in Christianity, carry the religious symbolism of everlasting life, a theological concept within that faith. As such, during the liturgy, "Biblical passages and other readings help explain the significance of the holly, the cedar, the Advent wreath, the Chrismon tree, and any other special decorations". Christmas trees are frequently erected during the hanging of the greens, although they are sometimes left bare until Christmas Eve.
Christmas in France is a major annual celebration, as in most countries of the Christian world. Christmas is celebrated as a public holiday in France on December 25, concurring alongside other countries.
Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are practiced virtually identically worldwide.
A tree plantation, forest plantation, plantation forest, timber plantation or tree farm is a forest planted for high volume production of wood, usually by planting one type of tree as a monoculture forest. The term tree farm also is used to refer to tree nurseries and Christmas tree farms.
