Euphorbia pulcherrima poinsettia

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.