poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə 

nonstandard pȯint-

nonstandard

-ˈse-tə 

: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts

especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

Illustration of poinsettia

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Flower Fields started as a small ranunculus farm in the mid-1960s, when Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus and gladiolus to the current location on land owned by the Ecke Family, where the Eckes had been growing their world-famous poinsettias. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Croton is a relative of castor bean and poinsettia and its milky white sap, like theirs, may irritate the skin. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026

Some plants, such as lilies and poinsettias, can be toxic to dogs and cats. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026

Unlike poinsettias that tend to disappear with the holiday hoopla, a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) adds a nice touch to your decor all year long. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə  -ˈset-ə 

: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers