Family: Euphorbiaceae
fire-on-the-mountain, painted poinsettia, wild poinsettia
[Euphorbia geniculata Ortega, more...]
Dan Tenaglia
Bell Museum
Etymology: Euphorbia: for Euphorbus, corpulent Greek physician of Juba II, King of Mauretania. Juba, educated in Rome, and married to daughter of Antony and Cleopatra. From eu, "good" and phorbe, "pasture or fodder," thus giving euphorbos the meaning "well fed."
Plants: erect, annual, up to 40" tall forb, usually branched, mostly hairless
Leaves: mostly alternate; vary from linear to wide, with lobes or teeth
Flowers: green; arranged in a terminal cluster surrounded by mostly lobed leaves with white or red bases
Fruits: 3-lobed, smooth capsule
Habitat: shade to partial shade; moist
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual, up to 40" tall forb, usually branched, mostly hairless
Leaves: mostly alternate; vary from linear to wide, with lobes or teeth
Flowers: green; arranged in a terminal cluster surrounded by mostly lobed leaves with white or red bases
Fruits: 3-lobed, smooth capsule
Habitat: shade to partial shade; moist
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = NI USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key.
Dan Tenaglia