POINSETTIA

[poin.set.tia] n [NL, fr. Joel R. Poinsett d. 1851 Am. diplomat] (1836): any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts; esp: a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usu. scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers