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Euphorbia cyathophora
Euphorbia cyathophora Murray
Wild Poinsettia, Poinsettia, Fire On The Mountain
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
Synonym(s): Euphorbia barbellata, Euphorbia graminifolia, Euphorbia havanensis, Euphorbia heterophylla var. barbellata, Euphorbia heterophylla var. cyathophora, Euphorbia heterophylla var. graminifolia, Poinsettia barbellata, Poinsettia cyathophora, Poinsettia cyathophora var. graminifolia, Poinsettia graminifolia, Poinsettia havanensis
USDA Symbol: EUCY
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), PR (N), VI (N)
The dwarf poinsettia has green stems and alternate lobed leaves, the uppermost with irregular red blotches near the base. The terminal flowers are yellowish with 1-2 small glands or nectaries.
Fire-on-the-mountain is a member of the spurge family (family Euphorbiaceae). Spurges are commonly herbs, with milky sap; in the tropics also includes shrubs or trees. There are about 290 genera and 7,500 species, mostly of warm or hot regions. Among the valuable products of the family are rubber, castor and tung oils, and tapioca. Most members of the family are poisonous, and their milky sap will irritate the membranes of the eyes and mouth.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Leaf Shape: Oblanceolate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Lobed
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: The upper or bracteal leaves usually red toward the base.
Flower: Flowers 3-5 mm
Fruit: 4.5-5 mm
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NM , OH , OK , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , WIGrowing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Accent, Garden. A good filler plant but can be invasive.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | UPL | FACU | UPL | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Euphorbia cyathophora in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Euphorbia cyathophora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Euphorbia cyathophora
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-10Research By: TWC Staff, TMH