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The red flower often used at Christmas is the poinsettia, but the bright red is not the colour of the flower. It is the bracts, or modified leaves, which surround a very small yellow flower. It is used as a symbol of Christmas in countries in the northern hemisphere because of its striking bright red and green.
The poinsettia is native to Mexico, and was originally called cuetlaxochitl by the Aztecs. It was first given as a gift to Americans by then ambassador to Mexico Joel Poinsett 1825: hence the name poinsettia.
The botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima.
It should not be confused with Christmas Holly (Ilex mitis) which has red berries.
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