poinsettia
2 synonyms for poinsettia, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A poinsettia is a plant with small flowers surrounded by large, bright red leaves, widely used as a Christmas decoration.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Christmas star
Mexican flame leaf
How to use poinsettia
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a potted poinsettia
red poinsettia
poinsettia plant
buy a poinsettia
Poinsettia is an everyday word, common in gardening and seasonal contexts.
Etymology
Poinsettia takes its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a nineteenth-century United States minister to Mexico, by way of the former genus name Poinsettia, formed from Poinsett plus the suffix -ia.
Full origin of poinsettia →Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a poinsettia?
It is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, a nineteenth-century US minister to Mexico who is linked to the plant's name.
Where do poinsettias originally come from?
They are native to Mexico and Central America.
Why are poinsettias linked to Christmas?
Their large, bright red leaves make them a popular choice for Christmas floral displays.
