Euphorbia punicea
COMMON NAME | Jamaican poinsettia |
TYPE | Shrub |
FAMILY | Euphorbiaceae |
NOTES | An unusual,
evergreen, succulent shrub that can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The stems
are rubbery, semi-succulent, greenish to very pale brown or cream colored
with prominent traces of the fallen leaves lining the woody lower branches
and trunk. The leaves are dark green, normally evergreen, but seasonal
drought and cool temperatures can cause foliage to temporarily drop away. The
small, insignificant, golden-yellow flowers are surrounded by a very showy
crown of flashy-red petal-like bracts, looking like larger flowers from a
distance. |
GEOGRAPHIC REGION | Caribbean |
NATIVE HABITAT | It grows commonly in
the mountains in semi-arid areas on rocky almost pure limestone soils in full
sun. |
WEB SOURCES |
