EUPHORBIA COTINIFOLIA

EUPHORBIA COTINIFOLIA IS A LOVELY LITTLE TREE OR SHRUB ( IF PRUNED A LOT) THAT SHOULD BE USED MORE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MORE POPULAR IN CALIFORNIA AND THE WEST THAN HERE IN FLORIDA. BUT, RECENTLY--APPARENTLY DUE TO SOME TISSUE-CULTURING--IT IS AROUND MUCH MORE IN THE SOUTH. THE PLANT LIKES SUN AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO WANT TO BE TOO WET, BUT IT ALSO CANNOT TAKE LONG DROUGHTS WITHOUT ATTENTION. iT IS TROPICAL AND WILL NOT TOLERATE FREEZING, THOUGH THERE ARE SOME REPORTS IT WILL COME BACK AT THE BASE FOLLOWING VERY COLD WEATHER. IT'S LEAVES RUSSLE NICELY IN THE BREEZE, BUT THE STEMS ARE BRITTLE AND EXUDE THE SAME KIND OF IRRITATING SAP AS THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA. MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS, THOUGH, USUALLY, IT JUST MAKES A STICKY MESS WHEN CUT OR BROKEN. THE PHOTO HERE DOES NOT REALLY SHOW UP THE MUCH DARKER RED LEAVES THAT PLANTS IN GOOD LIGHT PRODUCE. IT WILL PROPAGATE FROM CUTTINGS, BUT REQUIRES SOME PATIENCE. A KEEPER THIS IS!