Euphorbia heterophylla
Encyclopedia
Euphorbia heterophylla, also known under the common name
s of (Mexican) fireplant, painted euphorbia, desert poinsettia, wild poinsettia, fire on the mountain, paint leaf and kaliko plant, is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge
family.
This plant has many synonyms
; one of the most common is Euphorbia cyathophora.
, and its original distribution includes an area spreading from California
to east Texas
and to much of Central America
.
This plant has spread to South
and Southeast Asia
, having become a weed in India
and Thailand
, where it has invaded cotton fields and other agricultural terrain. In Thailand, it is called "ลูกเขยตายแม่ยายทำศพ" , which literally means 'A funeral of a son-in-law is the responsibility of the mother-in-law".
Introduced for ornamental purposes, it quickly spreads, becoming a common sight by the side of the roads and rural pathways.
The leaves at the upper end of the stalk, close to the cyathium
, have a striking, scarlet red coloration. Leaves are mainly 2-4 lobed and 4–7 cm long by 1.5–3 cm wide. Their contrast with the lower dark green leaves gives this euphorbia most of its common names.
The stalk exudes a toxic milky white sap. The cyathia or false flowers, are located in clusters at the head of the stalk and are yellowish green. They have no petals, the red color being part of the young leaves' coloration. The fruits are small, segmented capsules.
This plant often loses its coloration when it grows wild as a weed. It is resistant to herbicide.
are known to have strong reactions, including dermatitis
and anaphylaxis
, to the sap exuded by this plant.
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s of (Mexican) fireplant, painted euphorbia, desert poinsettia, wild poinsettia, fire on the mountain, paint leaf and kaliko plant, is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge
Spurge
Euphorbia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom, exceeded possibly only by Senecio. Members of the family and genus are sometimes referred to as Spurges...
family.
This plant has many synonyms
Synonym (taxonomy)
In scientific nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that is or was used for a taxon of organisms that also goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linnaeus was the first to give a scientific name to the Norway spruce, which he called Pinus abies...
; one of the most common is Euphorbia cyathophora.
Distribution
It is a native plant of MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and its original distribution includes an area spreading from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to east Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and to much of Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
.
This plant has spread to South
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, having become a weed in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, where it has invaded cotton fields and other agricultural terrain. In Thailand, it is called "ลูกเขยตายแม่ยายทำศพ" , which literally means 'A funeral of a son-in-law is the responsibility of the mother-in-law".
Introduced for ornamental purposes, it quickly spreads, becoming a common sight by the side of the roads and rural pathways.
Description
It is a hardy, ruderal species, growing between 30 and 70 cm in height.The leaves at the upper end of the stalk, close to the cyathium
Cyathium
A cyathium is one of the specialised pseudanthia forming the inflorescence of plants in the genus Euphorbia . A cyathium consists of:...
, have a striking, scarlet red coloration. Leaves are mainly 2-4 lobed and 4–7 cm long by 1.5–3 cm wide. Their contrast with the lower dark green leaves gives this euphorbia most of its common names.
The stalk exudes a toxic milky white sap. The cyathia or false flowers, are located in clusters at the head of the stalk and are yellowish green. They have no petals, the red color being part of the young leaves' coloration. The fruits are small, segmented capsules.
This plant often loses its coloration when it grows wild as a weed. It is resistant to herbicide.
Toxicity
Toxicity is documented in most members of the genus Euphorbia. Individuals sensitive to latexLatex
Latex is the stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latexes may be natural or synthetic.Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants . It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins,...
are known to have strong reactions, including dermatitis
Dermatitis
-Etymology:Dermatitis derives from Greek derma "skin" + -itis "inflammation" and genetic disorder.-Terminology:There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens. The term may describe eczema, which is also called...
and anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is defined as "a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death". It typically results in a number of symptoms including throat swelling, an itchy rash, and low blood pressure...
, to the sap exuded by this plant.