Painted spurge (Euphorbia heterophylla)

Katemas or painted spurge (Euphorbia heterophylla) is a species of plant in the Euphorbiaceae, 30-100 cm tall, erect stems, hollow, branched, highly adaptable to various habitats, producing latex which reacts and causes toxicity.

E. heterophylla has various leaf shapes, the lower leaves are alternate and green, while the upper leaves are opposite and generally have a whitish or bright red base.

Katemas produces flowers within 30 days and mature seeds are formed in 25-30 days later. Cyathia or false flowers in clusters on the head of the stalk and are yellowish green and have no petals.

The fruit is small and in the form of a capsule. Ripe fruit will explode and throw the seeds away from the mother plant so the plant spreads. Plants produce latex that causes toxicity, including dermatitis and anaphylaxis.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
Tribe: Euphorbieae
Subtribe: Euphorbiinae
Genus: Euphorbia
Subgenus: Chamaesyce
Section: Poinsettia
Species: Euphorbia heterophylla

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