Poinsettia

Poinsettia, erect shrub of the spurge family, used widely as a Christmas decoration. The poinsettia is native to tropical Mexico. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental in the southern United States. Poinsettias typically reach a height of 0.6 to 3 m (2 to 10 ft). They bear dark green leaves 7 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) in length. The top leaves are flaming red, pink, or white, and are therefore often mistaken for the flowers. The flowers are actually small and inconspicuous, appearing in a cluster. The stems of the poinsettia contain a milky juice.

Scientific classification: The poinsettia is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and is classified as Euphorbia pulcherrima.