Christmas plants are flowers or vegetation from garden plants associated with the festive season of

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by country, around t ...

. There are also a wide variety of plants that include "Christmas" in their common name.

Africa

South Africa

Christmas Bell is one name given to ''

Sandersonia ''Sandersonia'' is a monotypic genus of rhizomatous plant, belonging to the family Colchicaceae, the single species ''Sandersonia aurantiaca'' being native to South Africa (the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces) and Eswatin ...

ssp,'' A genus of South African plants.

Asia

India

Decorative plants for Christmas celebrations may include species of ''

Viscum ''Viscum'' is a genus of about 70–100 species of mistletoes, native to temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Traditionally, the genus has been placed in its own family Viscaceae, but recent genetic research by ...

'', ''

Lycopodium cernuum ''Lycopodium'' (from Greek ''lykos'', wolf and ''podion'', diminutive of ''pous'', foot) is a genus of clubmosses, also known as ground pines or creeping cedars, in the family Lycopodiaceae. Two very different Circumscription (taxonomy), circumsc ...

'', and ''

Acanthus ilicifolius ''Acanthus ilicifolius'', commonly known as holly-leaved acanthus, sea holly, and holy mangrove is a species of shrubs or herbs, of the plant family Acanthaceae, native to Australia, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. It is used as medicine in asth ...

''.

Sri Lanka

Monterey Cypress ''Hesperocyparis macrocarpa'' is a coniferous tree. It is commonly known as the Monterey cypress and is one of several species of cypress trees endemic to California. The Monterey cypress is found naturally only on the Central Coast of Califor ...

trees are often used as Christmas trees due to their conical shape and their longevity once cut

Thailand

Species used as Christmas trees include monkey puzzle trees, ''

Casuarina equisetifolia ''Casuarina equisetifolia'', common names ''Coastal She-oak'' or ''Horsetail She-oak'' (sometimes referred to as the Australian pine tree or whistling pine tree outside Australia), is a she-oak species of the genus ''Casuarina''. The native ...

'', and ''

C. junghuhniana C. or c. may refer to: * Century, sometimes abbreviated as ''c.'' or ''C.'', a period of 100 years * Cent (currency), abbreviated ''c.'' or ''¢'', a monetary unit that equals of the basic unit of many currencies * Caius or Gaius, abbreviated as ...

''.

Europe

Plants commonly used for Christmas decoration and symbolism across Europe include

ivy ''Hedera'', commonly called ivy (plural ivies), is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and ...

mistletoe Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant. ...

and

holly ''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 o ...

. Ivy leaves are seen as symbolizing eternity and resurrection. Christmas wreaths originated in Europe, and are traditionally made with *

spruce A spruce is a tree of the genus ''Picea'' (), a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of the Earth. ''Picea'' is the sole genus in the subfami ...

pine A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden accep ...

cedar Cedar may refer to: Trees and plants *''Cedrus'', common English name cedar, an Old-World genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae *Cedar (plant), a list of trees and plants known as cedar Places United States * Cedar, Arizona * ...

branches * pinecones from evergreen trees * holly berries or branches

Balkans

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 Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

, and

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...

Caucasus

Georgia

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.

Western Europe

Some common plants used to decorate in this region include English holly,

winterberry ''Ilex verticillata'', the winterberry, is a species of holly native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada, from Newfoundland (island), Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Alabama. Other names t ...

witch hazel Witch-hazels or witch hazels (''Hamamelis'') are a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, with three species in North America ('' H. ovalis'', '' H. virginiana'', and '' H. vernalis''), and one each in Japan ('' H.&nb ...

, and

Nordmann fir ''Abies nordmanniana'', the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a fir Indigenous (ecology), indigenous to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea, in Turkey, Georgia (country), Georgia and the Russian Caucasus. It occurs at altitudes of 900� ...

, which is commonly used in sprays. Lichens and mosses may be used as decorative garlands.

Germany

Plants specific to German sprays include acacia foliage and the cone-bearing branches of Douglas firs.

Ireland

Traditional decorative Christmas plants include holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. Other plants, like

Jerusalem cherry ''Solanum pseudocapsicum'' is a nightshade species with mildly poisonous fruit. It is commonly known as the Jerusalem cherry, Madeira winter cherry, or, ambiguously, "winter cherry". These perennials can be grown decoratively as house plants, ...

English ivy English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

, and potted

azaleas Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the genus ''Rhododendron'', particularly the former sections ''Tsutsusi'' (evergreen) and '' Pentanthera'' (deciduous). Azaleas bloom in the spring (April and May in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, and Octob ...

may also be encountered.

Spain

Tio de Nadal Titanium(II) oxide ( Ti O) is an inorganic chemical compound of titanium and oxygen. It can be prepared from titanium dioxide and titanium metal at 1500 °C. It is non-stoichiometric in a range TiO0.7 to TiO1.3 and this is caused by vacanci ...

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.

United Kingdom

Some plants used for wreaths and sprays include

English holly English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

cherry laurel ''Prunus'' subg. ''Padus'' is a subgenus of ''Prunus'', characterised by having racemose inflorescences. ''Padus'' was originally a distinct genus, but genetic and morphological studies have shown that ''Padus'' is polyphyletic. It has been prop ...

, and Portugal laurel. The

yule log The Yule log, Yule clog, or Christmas block is a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a winter tradition in regions of Europe, and subsequently North America. The origin of the folk custom is unclear. Like other traditions associated with ...

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.

North America

Christmas Cactus ''Schlumbergera'' is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. These plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity, and can be quite different ...

, 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 ''Schlumbergera kautskyi'' is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to a small area of the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil where its natural habitat is rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is i ...

'', and ''

Schlumbergera microsphaerica ''Schlumbergera microsphaerica'' is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to a limited area of the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil where its natural habitat is rocky areas above . It is threatened by habita ...

''.

Caribbean

Historically, the Christmas tree of choice in the Caribbean has been the

Caribbean pine The Caribbean pine (''Pinus caribaea'') is a hard pine species native to Central America and the northern West Indies (in Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands). It belongs to subsection '' Australes'' in subgenus ''Pinus''. It inha ...

. Festive flowering plants used for decoration include poinsettia, ''

Porana pamiculala ''Porana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Its native range is Indo-China to Malesia, Mexico. Species: *''Porana nutans'' *''Porana volubilis'' References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q310382 Convolvulaceae ...

'', and ''

Antigonon leptopus ''Antigonon leptopus'' is a species of perennial vine in the buckwheat family commonly known as coral vine or queen's wreath. This clambering vine is characterized by showy, usually pink flowers that can bloom throughout the year and large, hear ...

''.

Mexico

Poinsettias The poinsettia ( or ) (''Euphorbia pulcherrima'') 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 ...

are native to Mexico and its Central American neighbors.

Radishes The radish (''Raphanus raphanistrum'' subsp. ''sativus'') is an edible root vegetable of the family Brassicaceae that was domesticated in Asia prior to Roman times. Radishes are grown and consumed throughout the world, being mostly eaten raw a ...

feature in the Christmas season tradition of ''Noche de Rábanos'', or Night of the Radishes which is held on December 23rd in

Oaxaca City Oaxaca de Juárez (), also Oaxaca City or simply Oaxaca (Valley Zapotec languages, Zapotec: ''Ndua''), is the capital and largest city of the eponymous Administrative divisions of Mexico, Mexican state Oaxaca. It is the municipal seat for the surr ...

, Mexico. During the event participants carve large radishes into elaborate scenes.

United States

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 The Douglas fir (''Pseudotsuga menziesii'') is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are three va ...

has historically been the species of choice when it comes to Christmas trees, while in Appalachia the

Fraser fir The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri'') is a species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States. ''Abies fraseri'' is closely related to ''Abies balsamea'' (balsam fir), of which it has occasionally been treated a ...

is more popular. In California wreaths have been made from

coast redwood ''Sequoia sempervirens'' ()''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607 is the sole living species of the genus '' Sequoia'' in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coastal ...

and hollyleaf cherry. Plants used in decorative arrangements include Christmas-berry,

cypress Cypress is a common name for various coniferous trees or shrubs of northern temperate regions that belong to the family Cupressaceae. The word ''cypress'' is derived from Old French ''cipres'', which was imported from Latin ''cypressus'', the ...

firethorn ''Pyracantha'' (from Greek "fire" and "thorn", hence firethorn) is a genus of large, thorny evergreen shrubs in the family Rosaceae, with common names firethorn or pyracantha. They are native to an area extending from Southwest Europe east t ...

, and pepper-tree. In the southern part of the state decorative plants may also include citrus plants, eucalyptus, magnolias, and poinsettias. In Texas and Louisiana decorative plants include

Christmas fern ''Polystichum acrostichoides'', commonly denominated Christmas fern, is a perennial, evergreen fern native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas.American mistletoe, and poinsettias. Historically,

Spanish moss Spanish moss (''Tillandsia usneoides'') is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon large trees in tropical and subtropical climates. It is native to much of Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America, the Southern Uni ...

and

ball moss ''Tillandsia recurvata'', commonly known as small ballmoss or ball moss, is a flowering plant (not a true moss) in the family Bromeliaceae that grows upon larger host plants. It grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidit ...

might be dipped in flour while wet. Once dry, they could be used as snowball decorations. In southeast region of the country, decorative plants include camellias, holly, mistletoe, privet, quince, and ''

Magnolia grandiflora ''Magnolia grandiflora'', commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching in height, it is a ...

''. Wreaths and sprays may be made from the

longleaf pine The longleaf pine (''Pinus palustris'') is a pine species native to the Southeastern United States, found along the coastal plain from East Texas to southern Virginia, extending into northern and central Florida. In this area it is also known as ...

and the

Australian pine ''Casuarina'' is a genus of 17 tree species in the family Casuarinaceae, native to Australia, the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, islands of the western Pacific Ocean, and eastern Africa. It was once treated as the sole genus in the fam ...

. Along the Gulf Coast, several different types of palms are used as decorative plants, including '' Sabal palletto'', the

royal palm ''Roystonea regia'', commonly known as the Cuban royal palm or Florida royal palm, is a species of palm that is native to Mexico, parts of Central America and the Caribbean, and southern Florida. A large and attractive palm, it has been planted ...

, ''

Washingtonia robusta ''Washingtonia robusta'', known by common name as the Mexican fan palm, Mexican washingtonia, or skyduster is a palm tree native to the Baja California peninsula and a small part of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. Despite its limited native dist ...

'', and ''Phoenix canariesis''.

Oceania

Australia

The name Tasmanian Christmas Bell is applied in Australia to ''

Blandfordia ''Blandfordia'', commonly known as Christmas bells, is a genus of four species of flowering plants native to eastern Australia. Christmas bells are tufted, perennial herbs with narrow, linear leaves and up to twenty large, drooping, cylindric ...

ssp.'', including ''Blandfordia punicea''. Several different species of plants in Australia are referred to as Christmas Bush, including: * '' Correa'', a genus of Australian plants with distinctive bell shaped * ''

Chromolaena odorata ''Chromolaena odorata'' is a tropical and subtropical species of flowering shrub in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the Americas, from Florida and Texas in the United States south through Mexico and the Caribbean to South America. It ...

'' *''

Ceratopetalum gummiferum ''Ceratopetalum gummiferum'', the New South Wales Christmas bush, is a tall shrub or small tree popular in Plant cultivation, cultivation due to its sepals that turn bright red-pink at around Christmas time. The petals are actually small and whi ...

'' - New South Wales Christmas bush, ornamental tree. *''

Prostanthera lasianthos ''Prostanthera lasianthos'', commonly known as the Victorian Christmas bush or coranderrk , is a large shrub or small tree of the mint family, Lamiaceae, which is native to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. It grows ...

'' - Victorian Christmas bush. Several plants in Australia are referred to or used as Christmas trees, including ''

Nuytsia floribunda ''Nuytsia floribunda'' is a hemiparasitic tree found in Western Australia. The species is known locally as moodjar and, more recently, the Christmas tree or Western Australian Christmas tree. The display of intensely bright flowers during the ...

'' and the

Norfolk Island Pine ''Araucaria heterophylla'' (synonym ''A. excelsa'') is a species of conifer. As its vernacular name Norfolk Island pine (or Norfolk pine) implies, the tree is endemic to Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific ...

, which is commonly sold in Australian stores during the Christmas season and is usually marketed as a "Living Christmas tree"

New Zealand

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.

Misc

Christmas tree is applied to a number of plants: *

fir Firs (''Abies'') are a genus of 48–56 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family (biology), family Pinaceae. They are found on mountains throughout much of North America, North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The ...

balsam Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs. Balsam (from Latin balsamum "gum of the balsam tree", ultimately from Semitic, Aramaic ''busma'', Arabic ''balsam'' and Hebrew ''basam'', "spice", "perfume ...

or other

evergreen trees In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...

decorated for Christmas * Pinus pinea or the Italian Stone Pine, is another plant commonly sold in stores as a potted live plant. Christmas

rose A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be ...

can be any of the following: * ''

Helleborus Commonly known as hellebores (), the Eurasian genus ''Helleborus'' consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Helleboreae. ...

ssp.'', especially ''

Helleborus niger ''Helleborus niger'', commonly called Christmas rose or black hellebore, is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is poisonous. Although the flowers resemble wild roses (and despite its common nam ...

'' * a species of hydrangea, ''

Hydrangea macrophylla ''Hydrangea macrophylla'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Japan. It is a deciduous shrub growing to tall by broad with large heads of pink or blue flowers in summer and autumn. Common names include biglea ...

'' * '' Serissa foetida'' (also known as "snow rose" or "winter rose") originally from tropical regions of Asia; cultivated ''Serissa'' often blooms during the winter. Other plants with "Christmas" in their name include: * "Christmas costus" (''

Costus chartaceus ''Costus chartaceus'', commonly known as the Christmas costus, is a perennial plant with a red inflorescence. It is native to Colombia and Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the ...

'') * "Christmas moss" ('' Vesicularia montagnei'')

References

{{Christmas

Africa

South Africa

Asia

India

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Europe

Balkans

Caucasus

Georgia

Western Europe

Germany

Ireland

Spain

United Kingdom

North America

Caribbean

Mexico

United States

Oceania

Australia

New Zealand

Misc

See Also

References