Euphorbia cotinifolia

Scientific name: Euphorbia cotinifolia L.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Synonym: Euphorbia cotinoides Miq.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Tamat.

English name: Caribbean copper plant, Mexican shrubby spurge, Red spurge.

Description of the plant: An evergreen shrub has red leaves. It will quickly grow to 10-15 feet. Leaves simple, petiolate, leaf blade ovate-rounded, apex obtuse, base subtruncate, margin entire, both surfaces red. The creamy white flowers look very exotic with their red appendages and outsized seed pods.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Ethnomedicinal uses: A pste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied externally to remedy sores.

The milky latex is applied externally to treat infected nails.

Extract prepared from the leaves of the plant is used to inhibit the growth of liver cancer.

A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied externally on the cutting wound once a day for five days to treat it.

Distribution: The species is found throughout the country under cultivation.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….