Mexican Fireplant
Euphorbia heterophylla
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Uruguay, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © paulethompsonjr (iNaturalist #61125356)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- Euphorbia heterophylla
- USDA Symbol:
- EUHE4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Succulent
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello), Episimus argutana, Giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), Sprague's pygarctia moth (Pygarctia spraguei)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers disturbed areas and open fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions without pretreatment. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI