Euphorbia pulcherrima
poinsettia
Mexico
Ten-foot tall plant, coarse leaves on stiffly upright, woody stems bearing red, petal-like bracts winter into spring. Protected corner of Encina Commons courtyard, near entrance on Galvez Mall.
Name derivation: Euphorbia – The classical name after Euphorbus, physician to Juba, king of Mauritania; pulcherrima – very pretty.
About this Entry: John Rawlings authored the main text of this entry ca. 2005.