Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition

Euphorbia cyathophora Murray


Weed
Herb (herbaceous or woody, under 1 m tall)
Shrub (woody or herbaceous, 1-6 m tall)
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Scale bar 10mm. © CSIRO
Family

Murray, J.A. (1786) Commentationes Societatis Regiae Scientiarum Gottingensis 7: 81. Type: Cultivated plant from seeds of unknown origin?.

Common name

Painted Spurge; Dwarf Poinsettia

Stem

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-2 m tall.

Leaves

Twigs and petioles produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades about 7-9.5 x 3-3.5 cm. Petioles grooved on the upper surface.

Flowers

One large nectar-producing gland present on the outer surface of each flower cluster. (Flower clusters can be easily mistaken for single flowers.)

Fruit

Capsules about 3-4 x 5-6 mm, glabrous. Seeds about 3 mm long, testa tuberculate.

Seedlings

Features not available.

Distribution and Ecology

An introduced weed originally from tropical America now naturalised in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards to coastal central New South Wales. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 800 m. Usually grows on agricultural land but also found in disturbed areas in rain forest.

Natural History & Notes

This species may have medicinal properties.

RFK Code
3259
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