Definition

Noun: 1. Poinsettia: A tropical American shrub (Euphorbia pulcherrima) widely cultivated for its showy, typically scarlet, petal-like bracts (modified leaves) that surround its small, yellow flowers. The plant's sap is a milky, potentially irritating latex.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly known as the poinsettia, is a popular holiday plant.
  • The bright red bracts of the Euphorbia pulcherrima are often mistaken for flowers.
  • When handling a cut Euphorbia pulcherrima, it's advisable to wear gloves to avoid contact with its milky sap.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Botanical Context: The term is used in formal, scientific, or horticultural writing to refer specifically to this species, distinguishing it from other plants in the large (spurge) genus.
  • The study focused on the photoperiodism of Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Variants and Related Words

• Poinsettia (n): The universal common name for .
• Christmas Star (n): Another common name, referencing its festive appearance and season.
• Lobster Flower (n): A less common regional name.
• Mexican Flameleaf (n): A descriptive common name.

Synonyms

• Poinsettia: The primary synonym.
• Christmas flower: A descriptive synonym highlighting its seasonal association.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning refers specifically to the botanical species. The "flowers" people admire are not true petals but brightly colored bracts (leaf-like structures). The actual flowers are the small, yellow, central structures.
• While often associated with the color red, cultivated varieties of can have bracts in white, pink, or marbled patterns.

Noun

1. tropical American plant having poisonous milk and showy tapering usually scarlet petallike leaves surrounding small yellow flowers