Noche Buena , Flor de Pascua, Crown of the Andes

In awe of this plant with vibrantly colored bracts(modified leaves)  which we have come to know as Poinsettia. While the flowers itself are tiny and not showy the plant makes up for it with it's beautifully modified leaves. What an adaptation!
Come December and the floral section of every grocery store is lined with Colorful bracts of Poinsettia.
A very significant  part of the Christmas season and  decorations;  I cannot see the poinsettia  without  thinking about  Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico 1822 -1823, in whose honor the flower was named.
A very significant day of my life December 12 happens to be the National Poinsettia Day in the United States.  How nice!

Image from 123.com
Image from poinsettia plants_0.jpg