Home | > | List of families | > | Euphorbiaceae | > | Euphorbia | > | heterophylla |
Synonyms: |
Euphorbia geniculata Ortega Poinsettia heterophylla (L.) Klotzsch & Garcke |
Common names: | Annual wild poinsettia (English) Mexican fire plant (English) Painted Euphorbia (English) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Introduced |
Description: |
Erect annual, up to c. 1 m high, often reddish tinged; stems hollow. Leaves ovate,up to 12 cm long, hairless or sparsely hairy around the edges above, hairy especially on the midrib and veins beneath, mostly when young; margin with minute gland-tipped teeth or occasionally more coarsely toothed; petiole c.2 cm long; stipules modified as conspicuous purplish glands. Flowers in terminal and axillary heads. Capsules deeply 3-lobed, c. 5.5mm wide, exserted on a reflexed pedicel up to 6 mm long |
Notes: |
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Derivation of specific name: | heterophylla: with leaves of different shapes |
Habitat: | Mostly in disturbed places |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1630 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | Pantropical weed, originating from Central America. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Monday 13 February 2017 |
Literature: |
Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Pages 361 - 363. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 17. Drummond, R.B. (1984). Arable Weeds of Zimbabwe Agricultural Research Trust of Zimbabwe, Harare Pages 48 - 49. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 351. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 41. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 62. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 57. |
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