Christmas flower (scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Et KL.) It is a shrub belonging to Euphorbiaceae and Euphorbia. Roots terete, very much branched. Stem erect, 1-3 m tall, 1-4 cm in diameter, glabrous. Leaves alternate, oval, long oval or lanceolate, green, margin entire or lobed or wavy lobed, leaf surface pubescent or glabrous, leaf back pubescent; Bracts 5-7, narrowly elliptic, 3-7 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, usually entire, few, margin light wavy, vermilion. Inflorescence several cymes arranged at the top of branches; Involucre altar shaped, light green, margin dentate, 5-lobed, lobes triangular, glabrous. Capsule, trigonous, round, smooth, glabrous. Seeds ovate, gray or light gray, nearly smooth; No caruncle. The flowering and fruiting period is from October to April of the next year.

 

 

 

It is native to Central America and widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. It is cultivated in most provinces, autonomous regions and cities in China. It is common in parks, botanical gardens and greenhouses for viewing. The plant is slightly toxic. The stems and leaves can be used as medicine, which has the effect of reducing swelling and can treat traumatic injuries.