Scarlet Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows about 3.5 m high. The trunk is woody and brown. The branches are angular. The leaves are large. They are oval to sword shaped and have 12 teeth on either side. They are 20 cm long. They taper to the tip. There can be lobes along the edge. It usually drops its leaves as flowering begins. The bracts are large and red. This gives the flower cluster the appearance of one large flower. The bracts can also be white or yellow. The flowers are small and greenish yellow. The fruit is a small capsule with 3 lobes.

There are about 2000 Euphorbia species. Most Euphorbias have sap which irritates the skin.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is damaged by frost. It suits subtropical regions. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Gabon, Haiti, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, Thailand, Tonga, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Caution: All Euphorbias or spurges have irritating sap and many have chemicals that can cause cancer. The leaves have been eaten as a flavouring. The flowering shoots are also eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, poisonous, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. It can be used for living fences or hedges.

Its other names

Local names

Božična zvezda, Christmas flower, Denok, Ganaing-kyetthayay, Godong ratjun, Kastuba, Kayu merah, Lalupaate, Mexican Flame Leaf, Pohon merah, Puring benggala, Ywt-hla

Synonyms

Poinsettia pulcherrima (Klotsch) R.C. Graham;