Euphorbia cyathophora facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Euphorbia cyathophora
Scientific classification
Genus:	Euphorbia
Species:	cyathophora
Synonyms
List Euphorbia barbellata Engelm. Euphorbia graminifolia Michx. nom. illeg. Euphorbia heterophylla var. barbellata (Engelm.) Holz. Euphorbia heterophylla f. cyathophora (Murray) Voss Euphorbia heterophylla var. cyathophora (Murray) Griseb. Euphorbia heterophylla var. cyathophora (Murray) Boiss. Euphorbia heterophylla var. graminifolia Engelm. Euphorbia heterophylla var. minor Boiss. Euphorbia pandurifolia Roth Poinsettia barbellata (Engelm.) Small Poinsettia cyathophora (Murray) Klotzsch & Garcke Poinsettia cyathophora (Murray) Bartl. Poinsettia edwardsii Klotzsch & Garcke Poinsettia graminifolia (Chapm.) Millsp. Poinsettia pinetorum Small Tithymalus cyatophorus (Murray) Moench

Euphorbia cyathophora, also known as dwarf poinsettia, fire-on-the-mountain, or paintedleaf, is a fascinating plant. It is originally from North and South America. This plant has also spread and grown naturally in many other parts of the world.

What is Fire-on-the-Mountain?

This plant gets its cool names from its unique look. "Fire-on-the-mountain" describes its bright, colorful leaves. These leaves often turn red or orange at the top, looking like flames. It is sometimes confused with the famous Christmas poinsettia.

Plant Appearance

The Euphorbia cyathophora has green leaves that can be shaped differently. Near the top of the plant, the leaves often change color. They can become bright red, pink, or orange. This makes the plant very eye-catching.

Special Flowers

The flowers of this plant are quite special. They are not like typical flowers you might imagine. Instead, they are part of a unique structure called a cyathium.

Understanding Cyathium Flowers

A cyathium is a type of flower cluster found in Euphorbia plants. It looks like a single flower but is actually many tiny flowers grouped together. These tiny flowers are surrounded by colorful leaf-like parts called bracts. The bracts are what give the plant its bright "fire" colors.

How the Cyathium is Shaped

In Euphorbia cyathophora, the central part of the flower cluster, called the inflorescence axis, is shaped like a dome. Think of it like a small, rounded hill. This shape helps the tiny flowers grow in a compact way.

Where Does it Grow?

This plant is native to a wide area. It grows naturally in many places across North America. You can also find it in various regions of South America. Because it can adapt well, it has spread to other countries too. When a plant grows naturally in a new place, it is called "naturalized."

See also

In Spanish: Euphorbia cyathophora para niños