Poinsettia plant named `Red Splendor`

Abstract

A new and distinct Euphorbia pulcherrima cultivar named `Red Splendor` is provided which exhibits attractive generally clear Currant Red bracts and dark green foliage. This new cultivar exhibits a midseason finishing time and was the product of a planned breeding program combined with phenotypical transformation following grafting. The bracts commonly are upwardly disposed and present to the viewer a vigorous display of coloration. The overall growth habit is the product of strong basal branching to form a very compact plant that is amenable for display in a wide variety of settings. Sturdy thick stems are also a characteristic of the new cultivar.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named `Red Splendor` substantially as herein shown and described, which: (a) exhibits under natural short days a response period to initiate bract coloration of approximately 9 to 10 weeks when grown in central California,   (b) forms attractive clear red bracts that are commonly upwardly disposed,   (c) forms dark green foliage that creates an attractive contrast with the bract coloration,   (d) forms sturdy thick stems, and   (e) exhibits a strong basal branching character with pinching to create a very compact growth habit.