Mexican Shrubby Spurge

''Euphorbia cotinifolia'' is a broadleaf red shrub native to Mexico and South America. Treated as a shrub, it reaches 10 to 15 ft but can be grown as a tree reaching 30 ft . Small white flowers with creamy bracts bloom at the ends of the branches in summer. The purplish stems, when broken, exude a sap that is a skin irritant.

The scientific name of the plant comes from the words ''cotinus'' meaning "smoketree" and ''folia'' meaning "leaf". Common names for the species include smoketree.. more