Euphorbiaceae FAMILY

Euphorbia cotinifolia

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The milky latex found in all parts of the plant is strongly purgative. That from the roots is more poisonous than in other parts of the plant. It is used as a fish and arrow poison^{[1, 2]}. The sap is caustic to the skin, causing rashes and blisters^[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitShrub

Growth—

Succeeds in full sun to partial shade^[1]. Prefers a moist soil^[1]. The plant can flower all year round^[1].

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings^[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Euphorbia+cotinifolia>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

[1]Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide — Whistler. W. Arthur. · Timber Press Inc. Oregon. · 2000 · ISBN 0-88192-448-2 ↩︎An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
[2]Medicinal Plants of the Guianas — DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J. · Smithsonian Museum · http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html ↩︎A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region