Euphorbia cotinifolia (Mexican shrubby spurge)

Japanese name: ユーフォルビア コティニフォリア
Scientific name: Euphorbia cotinifolia

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub to small tree about 3–4.5 m tall.
Some reach as much as 9 m, and in cold regions it is deciduous.
White latex comes out when the stems or leaves are damaged.
Young branches are tinged reddish purple.
The leaves are simple, in whorls of three or opposite, broadly elliptic to round, about 10 cm in both length and width, thin in texture, with entire margins and long petioles.
The new shoots are strongly reddish, and the mature leaves are dark reddish purple.
Cup-shaped inflorescences (cyathia) are borne in umbels at the branch tips; the flowers have no petals but have semicircular petal-like appendages that are white to cream, and the appendages have notched edges.
The glands on the inflorescence are tinged purple.
The fruit is a smooth, glossy capsule.

[Uses]
Although it is a poisonous plant, in its native range the latex is used as a folk medicine, was released into water to catch fish, and was formerly also used as arrow poison.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
For cuttings, immediately wash the cut end with water or soak it in water to remove the white latex, then let the cut end dry before inserting it.
The latex is poisonous and causes a rash if it gets on the skin, so wear gloves when working.
Also take care that it does not get into the eyes or mouth.
It is sensitive to frost, and it is safest to keep it at 10°C or above for overwintering; it drops its leaves when the temperature approaches 0°C.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained soil.
It tolerates bright shade, but the leaf color becomes poor if the light is insufficient.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
Poor drainage can cause root rot.
In spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include spider mites, aphids, mealybugs and nematodes.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)