Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch
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Description
Euphorbia pulcherrima is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually 1–4 m tall, with an erect, branched habit and a rounded crown. The stem is woody, cylindrical, greyish-brown at maturity, and produces white milky latex when damaged. Leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate, ovate to elliptic, usually 7–16 cm long, with entire to deeply lobed margins, an acute apex, and a smooth to slightly hairy surface. The upper leaves surrounding the inflorescences become brightly coloured bracts, commonly red, pink, white, or cream, and are often mistaken for flowers. Flowers are small, unisexual, and arranged in specialized cyathia typical of Euphorbia. The cyathia are surrounded by colourful bracts and contain reduced male and female flowers. Fruits are small, dry, three-lobed capsules containing three seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Mexico, Central America. Widely cultivated worldwide, especially in Tropical and subtropical regions, Greenhouses, Ornamental gardens.
In Pakistan: Cultivated as an ornamental plant in Botanical gardens, Universities, Nurseries, Home gardens.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Euphorbia pulcherrima is one of the most economically important ornamental members of Euphorbiaceae. It was formerly placed in the separate genus Poinsettia, but modern molecular and morphological studies support its placement within Euphorbia.