Home Page > Picture Archives > Flora of Qatar > Euphorbiaceae > Euphorbia heterophylla

Euphorbia heterophylla L.

Synonyms

Cyathophora heterophyla, Poinsettia heterophylla, Tithymalus heterophyllus

Common names

Bint al qunsul, desert spurge, Japanese poinsettia, Mexican fire plant, milk weed, milkweed, painted euphorbia, painted leaf, paintedleaf, painted spurge, summer poinsettia, various leaved euphorbia, wild poinsettia, wild spurge, yellow spurge

Extract from Wikipedia article

Euphorbia heterophylla, also known under the common names of (Mexican) Fireplant, Painted Euphorbia, Japanese Poinsettia, Desert Poinsettia, Wild Poinsettia, Fire on the Mountain, Paintedleaf, Painted Spurge, Milkweed, and Kaliko Plant, is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family.

AI-generated description

Euphorbia heterophylla, also known as the Mexican fireplant or wild poinsettia, is an annual herb native to Central and South America. It has been naturalized in various parts of the world, including Qatar. In Qatar, Euphorbia heterophylla has been found to grow in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and construction sites. It is a common weed that thrives in the country's hot and dry climate. The plant can grow up to 1 meter tall, with leaves that are variable in shape and color, and produces small, inconspicuous flowers. Studies have shown that Euphorbia heterophylla has been widely distributed in Qatar, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. It is often found growing alongside other invasive species, such as Prosopis juliflora and Cenchrus ciliaris. The plant's ability to tolerate high temperatures and drought makes it well-suited to Qatar's arid environment, allowing it to outcompete native vegetation and potentially alter local ecosystems.

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Carpet of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Plants of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia(?)) on desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Dense infestation by desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Fruits of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Flowers of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Close up of fruits of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Back lit desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) with fruits on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) with flowers on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Back lit desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) with fruits in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) with fruits in dew on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015

Invasive desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Carpet of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Invasive plants of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Fruits of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Back lit fruits of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) taken from Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Inflorescence of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) taken from Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) with back lit leaves taken from Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 5, 2015

Infestation by desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, August 21, 2015

Fruits of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, October 9, 2015

Small green caterpillar on Desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, November 13, 2015

Flower buds of desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, December 18, 2015

Masses of invasive desert spurge (summer poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, June 3, 2016

AI-generated summary of observations

The plant Euphorbia heterophylla, also known as desert spurge or summer poinsettia, was observed on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms, Qatar, over a period of approximately 1 year and 3 months (March 2015 to June 2016). The observations show that the plant formed dense infestations and carpets, producing flowers, fruits, and seeds. It was also found to host other organisms, such as yellow garden spiders and small green caterpillars. The plant's invasive nature was noted, with masses of it covering large areas of the farm. The observations suggest that Euphorbia heterophylla is a highly adaptable and prolific species that can thrive in irrigated agricultural environments, potentially outcompeting other vegetation and posing challenges for farming practices. Overall, these findings highlight the plant's ability to colonize and dominate new habitats.

Outside links

How the web page was created

A list of plants with their common names was written using online sources and books.
Web pages were written by a program consisting of several scripts.
Full names, synonyms, and classification of plants were found online from catalogueoflife.org and theplantlist.org using a script.
Pictures of plants were selected from a database using a script.
This web page was written using a script.

Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.