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Euphorbiaceae
Mala Mujer
Cnidoscolus angustidens
Deceptive beauty and necessary caution.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Cnidoscolus
- Native to
- Mexico, southwestern United States
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 30–100 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- dry, rocky, well-drained
- Water
- very low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The name 'mala mujer' means 'bad woman' in Spanish, a warning about its intensely stinging hairs.
- The stinging hairs inject a chemical cocktail that causes a painful burning sensation lasting hours.
- Despite the sting, the white flowers are quite beautiful and attract moths and other night-flying pollinators.
- The genus name Cnidoscolus comes from the Greek for 'nettle' and 'thorn', a double warning.
- Related species in Brazil have starchy, edible roots that are an important food source after proper processing.
Color meanings
White
beauty that demands respect