÷pȯinˈsed.]ə, ]ēə, -set]\ noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett died 1851 American diplomat + New Latin -ia
1.
a. capitalized , in some classifications : a genus of chiefly tropical American herbs or woody plants (family Euphorbiaceae) with alternate leaves and cymose inconspicuous greenish flowers subtended by brightly colored involucral leaves that is now included as a section in the genus Euphorbia
b. -s : any plant of the genus Euphorbia that has flower clusters marked by showy involucral bracts ; especially : a showy Mexican and So. American plant ( E. pulcherrima ) with tapering scarlet petallike leaves that surround small yellow flowers
2. -s : a strong to vivid red that is bluer and lighter than bright cherry red
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