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Euphorbiaceae
Wild Poinsettia
Euphorbia cyathophora
Festive celebration.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Native to
- United States, Mexico, Central America
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- annual
- Height
- 1-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, sandy to loamy
- Water
- low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 8-11
- Lifespan
- annual
Did you know
- Unlike its cultivated cousin, wild poinsettia self-seeds aggressively and is considered a weed in soybean fields across the southeastern US.
- The colorful 'petals' are actually modified leaves called bracts; the true flowers are the tiny structures in the center.
- Its milky sap can cause skin irritation and was historically used by indigenous peoples as a fish poison.
- Wild poinsettia is fire-adapted and quickly recolonizes burned areas in its native grassland habitat.
- The species name 'cyathophora' means 'cup-bearing,' referring to the cup-shaped glands on its flower clusters.
Color meanings
0
good cheer
1
community
2
success