Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
André Karwath aka Aka
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- Euphorbia pulcherrima
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, nov
- Bloom Colors:
- cream, pink, red, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello), Episimus sp., Obscure Sphinx (Erinnyis obscura)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola), Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin), Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin), Whirlabout (Polites vibex), Whirlabout (Polites vibex)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to tropical forests, prefers organic matter