painted leaf

Euphorbia cyathophora

The painted leaf is a colorful plant with bright red and green leaves. It loves to soak up the sun and can often be found in gardens and sunny spots.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The painted leaf has vibrant green leaves, but its upper leaves, called bracts, turn striking shades of red, orange, or yellow near the inconspicuous true flowers. These colorful bracts are what give the plant its 'painted' appearance, making it visually distinct from other leafy green plants.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyEuphorbiaceaeGenusEuphorbia

Photo: Juni from Kyoto, JapanCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

painted leaf

Interesting facts

It's closely related to the famous poinsettia, both having colorful bracts.

Its milky sap, though irritating, is chemically similar to rubber!

Some cultures traditionally use its distinctive sap for various purposes.

The plant's vibrant "flowers" are actually modified leaves, not true petals!

Special abilities

Painted leaf has bright bracts that look like flowers, attracting insects to pollinate its small, true blossoms.

Painted leaf produces a milky sap when broken, helping it defend against hungry animals.

Painted leaf produces many seeds that easily self-sow, helping it spread widely and quickly.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 20-50 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen

Pollinates

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Visits colorful bracts for nectar

Eaten by

Beet armyworm

Spodoptera exigua

Larvae may feed on leaves

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify painted leaf?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is painted leaf?

30-90 cm

How wide does painted leaf spread?

20-50 cm

When does painted leaf bloom?

Late spring to fall

Is painted leaf edible?

Is painted leaf toxic?

Mild

What is painted leaf's lifecycle?

Annual

How is painted leaf pollinated?