Definition of poinsettia
: 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
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of poinsettia from the Web
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All poinsettias are in the euphorbia family, and therefore produce a milky latex sap that can irritate the skin and eyes.
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Remove 4 to 6 inches of new growth from poinsettias to encourage compact growth.
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Tacked onto a bulletin board behind Marcela Garcia’s desk at the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts is a picture of a girl painting a poinsettia onto a red clay pot.
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Trim back poinsettias 4 to 6 inches after a foot of new growth to keep them compact.
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A poinsettia tree that is a hallmark of the holiday season will remain in the same location during the holiday season.
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The poinsettia painting that hangs in her den did double duty as a Christmas card.
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Twin handmade ceramic poinsettias, for instance, hang above both sides of a passageway into our kitchen.
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Fertilize poinsettias every two weeks, the Norfolk pine every few months.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poinsettia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of poinsettia
Origin and Etymology of poinsettia
New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat
POINSETTIA Defined for English Language Learners
poinsettia
playDefinition of poinsettia for English Language Learners
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: a plant with large red, pink, or white leaves that look like petals
POINSETTIA Defined for Kids
poinsettia
playDefinition of poinsettia for Students
: a tropical plant with showy usually red leaves that grow like petals around its small greenish yellow flowers
Learn More about poinsettia
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See words that rhyme with poinsettia Spanish Central: Translation of poinsettia Nglish: Translation of poinsettia for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poinsettia
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