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Mexican Shrubby Spurge Euphorbia cotinifolia

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

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.

More information on Euphorbia.

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Atropurpurea'
    deep red purple leaves, white inflorescence
  • 'Burgundy Wine'
    4 feet tall, 3 feet wide, dark burgundy leaves, yellow flowers
'Atropurpurea', 'Burgundy Wine'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#red leaves#broadleaf evergreen#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#disease resistant#pest resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#burgundy leaves#burgundy#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Atropurpurea'
    deep red purple leaves, white inflorescence
  • 'Burgundy Wine'
    4 feet tall, 3 feet wide, dark burgundy leaves, yellow flowers
'Atropurpurea', 'Burgundy Wine'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#red leaves#broadleaf evergreen#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#disease resistant#pest resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#burgundy leaves#burgundy#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Bark is light brown and may have above the surface rings around it.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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