| Synonyms: |
Euphorbia geniculata Ortega Poinsettia heterophylla (L.) Klotzsch & Garcke |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Introduced |
| Description: |
Erect annual, up to c. 1 m high, often reddish tinged; stems hollow. Leaves ovate,up to 12 cm long, hairless or sparsely hairy around the edges above, hairy especially on the midrib and veins beneath, mostly when young; margin with minute gland-tipped teeth or occasionally more coarsely toothed; petiole c.2 cm long; stipules modified as conspicuous purplish glands. Flowers in terminal and axillary heads. Capsules deeply 3-lobed, c. 5.5mm wide, exserted on a reflexed pedicel up to 6 mm long |
| Type location: |
Tropical America |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | heterophylla: with leaves of different shapes |
| Habitat: | Mostly in disturbed places |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1500 m |
| Flowering time: | Nov - Mar |
| Worldwide distribution: | Pantropical weed, originating from Central America. |
| FZ divisions: | W,C,S |
| Zambian distribution (Provinces): | Cb,Lk,S |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Pages 361 - 363. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 17. Drummond, R.B. (1984). Arable Weeds of Zimbabwe Agricultural Research Trust of Zimbabwe, Harare Pages 48 - 49. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 351. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 41. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 108. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 62. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 57. Troupin, G. (1983). Euphorbiaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Page 224. As Euphorbia geniculata |