Smoketree spurge
Euphorbia cotinifolia
''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 spurge, tropical smoke bush, Caribbean copper plant, and Mexican shrubby spurge.
The scientific name of the plant comes from the words ''cotinus'' meaning "smoketree" and ''folia'' meaning "leaf". Common names for the species include smoketree spurge, tropical smoke bush, Caribbean copper plant, and Mexican shrubby spurge.