painted leaf
ExplorePlants
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
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Pollinator Mimic
Painted leaf has bright bracts that look like flowers, attracting insects to pollinate its small, true blossoms.
Ability
Defensive Sap
Painted leaf produces a milky sap when broken, helping it defend against hungry animals.
Ability
Rapid Spreader
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
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
No
Is painted leaf toxic?
Mild
What is painted leaf's lifecycle?
Annual
How is painted leaf pollinated?
Insect
Where is painted leaf usually found?
Urban areas
Snap Map
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