poinsettia

American  

[poin-set-ee-uh, -set-uh] / pɔɪnˈsɛt i ə, -ˈsɛt ə /

noun

1. a plant, Euphorbia (Poinsettia ) pulcherrima, of the spurge family, native to Mexico and Central America, having variously lobed leaves and brilliant scarlet, pink, or white petallike bracts.

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poinsettia British  

/ pɔɪnˈsɛtɪə /

noun

1. a euphorbiaceous shrub, Euphorbia (or Poinsettia ) pulcherrima, of Mexico and Central America, widely cultivated for its showy scarlet bracts, which resemble petals

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Etymology

Origin of poinsettia

1830–40; < New Latin, named after J. R. Poinsett (1799–1851), American minister to Mexico, who discovered the plant there in 1828; -ia

Example Sentences

For many of us, our first foray into foliage begins at Christmas when we are gifted a poinsettia.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

Let’s pause here to clarify: The colorful parts of a poinsettia aren’t really flowers; those are the tiny yellow and red orbs in the center of the plant.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Ecke started growing and selling his poinsettias in a field on Sunset Boulevard but moved to Encinitas around 1923, where Ecke Ranch became the largest poinsettia producer in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2025

The first was a photo of a guitar next to a fire and Christmas poinsettia.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2023

Red velvet ribbons were tied in prettily drooping bows around the balusters of the central staircase and great urns of scarlet poinsettia flanked the doorways.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood