48 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
twigs vary from 4 to 6 inches in length and 14 to 14 inch in diameter; 
they occur in whorled clusters near the ends of the branches. The 
small, oval leaves, usually less than an inch long, are produced at the 
ends of the twigs but they soon fall off. The very small, greenish 
flowers, borne with the leaves at the tips of the twigs, are inconspicu- 
ous. The entire plant is smooth throughout and contains an acrid, 
milky sap. The plant is propagated easily by cuttings, but does not 
spread by natural means. 
DistrIBUTION AND Hasrrat.—This introduced shrub is commonly 
planted as an ornamental throughout the Virgin Islands. It is found 
in villages near dwellings, in parks and cemeteries, and in other public 
places. The plants thrive equally well on all soils in all but the driest 
areas. The ease of establishment, drought tolerance, and attractiveness 
of the plant make pencil euphorbia popular as an ornamental. 
Toxiciry AND Symproms.—The roots and stem of pencil euphorbia 
are reported to be highly toxic (30,60). The sap of the plant is very 
irritating to the skin and eyes of susceptible humans. Although ani- 
mals are unlikely to eat the plant because of its irritating sap and un- 
pleasant taste, cases of pencil euphorbia poisoning have occurred in 
the Virgin Islands. 
MANAGEMENT AND Contron.—Livestock will not ordinarily browse 
on pencil euphorbia, but one case of a tied horse being poisoned by it 
has been reported from St. Croix. As it is occasionally found in ac- 
cessible places, care should be taken to keep livestock away from this 
plant. Animals should not be tethered where they can reach it. Un- 
desired plants may be grubbed out or killed with selective herbicides 
where there is no danger to surrounding vegetation. 
Malvaceae, or Mallow, Family 
Gossypium sp. (fig. 26) 
Cotton 
DescrreTion.—This perennial, branching shrub is 10 to 15 feet high. 
The large alternate leaves have 3 to 5 short lobes. The leaf blades, 
which are 3 to 4 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches long, are dark green, 
smooth, and rather shiny above, dull and hairy beneath. The flower 
buds or “squares” appear singly in the leaf axils, and are surrounded 
by 3 serrated, persistent, leaf-type growths called bracts. The 5 petals 
are usually light yellow or white, with or without a basal petal spot; 
they are about 1 inch in length and 34 inch in width. The smooth, 
green, egg-shaped, young fruits (bolls) have pointed tips, contain 3 
to 5 sections (locks), and reach 1 to 114 inches in length. They turn 
brown and open lengthwise at maturity exposing the whitish cotton 
fiber. Each lock of the fruit contains 6 to 8 small, black or grayish, 
egg-shaped seeds, which are about 14 inch long, rounded at the base, 
and pointed at the apex. The seeds are covered by short grayish fibers 
called fuzz, and by longer white fibers called lint. Most cotton plants 
blossom at the beginning of the wet season and the bolls begin to open 
at the onset of the dry season. Plants growing in the more moist 
districts produce blossoms occasionally throughout the year, but rarely 
set fruit. Cotton is ordinarily propagated by seeds. 
DIsTRIBUTION AND Haprrat.—Cotton has escaped cultivation in the 
Virgin Islands; it is most common in St. Croix. Cotton commonly 
