a Mexican and Central American plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) of the spurge family, with yellow flowers surrounded by tapering red leaves resembling petals
See poinsettia in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(poin-sĕtˈē-ə, -sĕtˈə)
noun
A tropical American shrub (Euphorbia pulcherrima) that has showy, usually scarlet bracts beneath the small yellow flowerlike inflorescences.