POISONOUS AND INJURIOUS PLANTS 79 
BN—13176 
Figure 43.—Pedilanthus latifolius Millsp. & Britton 
plant exude a milky, acrid juice when cut or injured. The plants are 
propagated by cuttings. This species, like its relative Christmas 
candle, blossoms at sporadic intervals throughout the year but most 
profusely during the winter months. 
DisrrisuTIon AND Haprrar.—This green, fleshy shrub may be native 
to the Virgin Islands, but is rare except where planted as an orna- 
mental. It is found on all of the Islands; it grows around dwellings 
and along streets and highways wherever border plants are desired. 
The plants often persist on abandoned house sites; they occur spon- 
taneously in waste and dumping grounds or in moist places where 
trimmings are discarded. The plants thrive well over a wide range of 
