Mexican Shrubby Spurge Euphorbia cotinifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aklema cotinifolia
- Tithymalus cotinifolius
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh kot-in-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Smoketree spurge is a tropical shrub or small tree in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to Mexico and tropical South America and has attractive burgundy-red foliage. In its native habitat, it is an evergreen but will drop its leaves if the temperature drops to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be grown as a shrub or trained to tree form, but in cooler climates, it will need to be grown in a container and brought indoors for the winter. The species name, cotinifolia, means "leaves of Cotinus." The suffix, -folia, means "leaf." Cotinus is an unrelated genus in the Anacardiaceae (Sumac family) whose species are sometimes called "smoketree."
This plant does best in full sun to light shade in moist, well-drained sandy soils. In North Carolina, it will need to be grown as an annual or in a container that can be brought inside for winter. If grown outdoors it does best in coastal areas but does not tolerate windy conditions or salt. If growing more inland, provide some shade in the afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It is not frost tolerant and is winter hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 to 11. It can be propagated by stem cuttings or division.
When grown as a shrub the smoketree spurge can grow upright to 10 to 15 feet. As a tree, it can growth as tall as 30 feet and is multi-stemmed. As a container plant, it will grow much smaller. The stems are purplish, and the colorful leaves emerge red and mature to a dark burgundy. In the summer clusters of tiny white flowers appear at the end of branches. The fruits are tiny capsules with tiny seeds.
Smoketree spurge may be used as an ornamental in a container or landscape.
Insect Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems with insect pests or diseases. Monitor for aphids, spider mites, nematodes, and mealybugs. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.
The sap is poisonous so make sure to use protection such as eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, and gloves when pruning or when in contact with this plant.. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested. Keep out of the reach of small children and pets.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Atropurpurea'
deep red purple leaves, white inflorescence - 'Burgundy Wine'
4 feet tall, 3 feet wide, dark burgundy leaves, yellow flowers
- 'Atropurpurea'
- 'Atropurpurea', 'Burgundy Wine'
- Tags:






- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Atropurpurea'
deep red purple leaves, white inflorescence - 'Burgundy Wine'
4 feet tall, 3 feet wide, dark burgundy leaves, yellow flowers
- 'Atropurpurea'
- 'Atropurpurea', 'Burgundy Wine'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- cotinifolia
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The plant has been used medicinally by native tribes and also as a poison to help catch fish.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Tropical America
- Distribution:
- Native: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala. Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela. Introduced: Bangladesh, Canary Islands, China, Dominican Republic, India, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Tunisia, and the Windward Islands.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Screening
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer, rabbit, air pollution, drough, insect pests, diseases
- Edibility:
- Toxic if ingested.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a three parted capsule with sparse hairs to smooth and measures up to 4mm in diameter. The seeds are brown with tiny depressions on the surface and measure up 3mm in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white flowers appear in pannicles at the end of branches in the summer. The flowers are subtended by creamy bracts. The bracts are what add the color against the dark leaves
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Ovate leaves are 3-4 inches long and 3 inches wide and are coppery-red maturing to dark burgundy. They have a slightly fleshy feel. They are arranged in whorls and have long petioles. The leaves will be smaller on potted plants.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Bark is light brown and may have above the surface rings around it.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are smooth, deep burgundy to purple, and multi-branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems