A flower that is native to Tenochtitlan. The Cuetlaxochitl can grow as high as 10 feet tall and its beautiful red flowers bloom in the winter time in Mexico. The word Cuetlaxochitl means, "mortal flower that perishes and withers like all that is pure". The Cuetlaxochitl was never touched, but left alone as 'an exotic gift from nature'. It was highly prized by Montezuma and Netzahualcoyotl, but could not be grown in their capital, now Mexico City, because of the high altitude. Nevertheless, beautiful botanical gardens existed throughout the Aztec empire in pre-Hispanic times where plants were cultivated for their ornament and medicine. From October to May, the cuetlaxochitl was admired and observed. By careful selection, colors ranging from white to almost black, had been obtained and still exist, even though the scarlet version remains the most abundant today.
Most Mexicans know the Cuetlaxochitl as Noche Buena since it blooms around Christmas time.
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