Euphorbia cotinifolia L.
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Description
Euphorbia cotinifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually 2–5 m tall, with a dense, rounded crown and highly branched growth habit. The stem is erect, woody, and greyish-brown with age, while young branches are green to reddish and produce white milky latex when damaged. Leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate, broadly ovate to rounded, usually 5–12 cm long, with entire margins, an obtuse to rounded apex, and a smooth surface. The foliage is often reddish-purple to copper coloured, making the species highly valued as an ornamental plant. Flowers are small, reduced, unisexual, and arranged in specialized cyathium inflorescences typical of the genus Euphorbia. The cyathia are surrounded by small bracts and usually appear greenish-yellow. Fruits are small, dry, three-lobed capsules that split at maturity and contain three seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Caribbean region, Tropical America. Widely cultivated in Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, Tropical and subtropical gardens worldwide.
In Pakistan: Cultivated as an ornamental shrub in Botanical gardens, University campuses, Parks, Residential landscapes.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Euphorbia cotinifolia belongs to the large genus Euphorbia, characterized by its unique cyathium inflorescence, which superficially resembles a single flower but is actually a specialized cluster of reduced male and female flowers.