Poinsettia

Named after the first US Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant to the US in 1825. I've seen these in southern Brazil as large trees, but agree they make great Christmas decorations - like bougainvillea, the colour is in the bracts, not the flowers.

Am attempting to blip something Christmassy each day of Advent - tried this every which way, and then decided to wash the leaves, dusty from the building work - and liked the effect - just hope I've not wrecked the plant...

Our youngest two have left Trapiá, on way to Fortaleza with three friends - we're beginning to get excited...