Euphorbia cotinifolia
L.
Euphorbiaceae
Aklema cotinifolia (L.) Millsp.
Aklema scotanum (Schltdl.) Millsp.
Aklema yavalquahuitl (Schltdl.) Millsp.
Alectoroctonum caracasanum Klotzsch & Garcke
Alectoroctonum cotinifolium (L.) Schltdl.
Alectoroctonum cotinoides (Miq.) Klotzsch & Garcke
Alectoroctonum riedelianum Klotzsch & Garcke
Alectoroctonum scotanum Schltdl.
Alectoroctonum willdenowii Klotzsch & Garcke
Alectoroctonum yavalquahuitl Schltdl.
Euphorbia caracasana (Klotzsch & Garcke) Boiss.
Euphorbia cotinoides Miq.
Euphorbia scotanum Schltdl.
Euphorbia venenata Schltdl.
Tithymalus cotinifolius (L.) Haw.
Common Name:
Cultivated red-leaved form at Maui, Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Hawaii
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Cultivated red-leaved form at Maui, Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Hawaii
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Developing fruits
Photograph by: JMK
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Euphorbia cotinifolia is a shrub or a tree that can grow 2 metres or more tall[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its red to purple foliage[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
Known Hazards
The milky latex found in all parts of the plant is strongly purgative. That from the roots is more poisonous than in other parts of the plant. It is used as a fish and arrow poison[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
,
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The sap is caustic to the skin, causing rashes and blisters[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - southwest Caribbean, Netherlands Anti
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in full sun to partial shade[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
]. Prefers a moist soil[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The plant can flower all year round[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The whole plant is applied topically to remedy sores[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The milky latex is strongly purgative. It is applied externally to treat infected nails[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
Cuttings[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
