Poinsettia

This lovely plant, a native our of neighbors to the south is arguably the most beautiful secular symbol of Christmas. The bright red leaves are what attract us rather than the simple yellow 'flowers', the sap is poisonous, and most people mis-pronounce it, leaving out the final 'i'. Painted here in colored pencil it is 5 x 7 and part of my 2010 Christmas card collection. The original has been SOLD.