FNPS Plant Database

Euphorbia heterophylla

fiddler's spurge, Mexican fireplant
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

fiddler's spurge, Mexican fireplant

Synonym(s):

Poinsettia heterophylla

Genus species:

Euphorbia heterophylla

Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-2.5 ft tall by 1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow,green

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Back of a wildflower garden in a casual setting. Grown en-masse, this plant can be used as a temporary groundcover.

Considerations:

Reseeds overly enthusiastically and may become weedy as the year progresses.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology

Wildlife:

Native Habitats:

Ruderal, disturbed hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

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Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The author treats this as a friendly weed. Pull them if where there is something more desirable.

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+), Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPageFK.asp?TXCODE=Euphhete ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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