This plant is a typical Christmas decoration in many countries, Spain included. This year we were given one as a present:

Click on the images to see them bigger

It’s called “Flor de Pascua” in Spanish, or Poinsetia. It’s a plant of Mexican origin. Red top leaves are often mistaken for flowers, but they are actually bracts ( modified leaves ). Their function is attracting pollinators, that’s the reason for the bright red color.

Blooming is from November to February, so it coincides with Christmas. It became popular during the colonial period, when was used to decorate churches for Christmas.