Euphorbiaceae. 131 
lower ones uniformly green and only the upper ones at the time of 
flowering, uniformly bright red. The inflorescence is terminal, the 
flowers are crowded and red ; one or two large yellow glands are 
present on each of the involucres. 
The Potnsettia is only ornamental during the winter months 
about Christmas time when it comes into flower, the conspicuous part 
is not only the flowers but the upper leaves, which turn bright red. 
It is a native of tropical America and Mexico, in which latter 
country it was discovered in 1828 by Graham. It is now cultivated 
in many tropical countries and is quite common in Honolulu. The 
milk\- juice is poisonous. After flowering the plant should be cut 
back. 
Euphorbia heterophylla L., known as Painted Leaf, is also fre- 
quently cultivated but much less so than the Potnsettia. It differs 
from the latter in the very variable leaves of which the lower are 
entire, and the upper sinuately lobed and blotched with red at the 
base. It is also a native of tropical and temperate America. 
Euphorbia splendens Boj., Crown of Thorns, an erect branched 
shrub three feet in height with grayish cylindrical or angled branches, 
which are armed with slender, sharp, long spines, can be found 
planted on rockeries and also as a hedge. It is in flower practically 
all the year round, the red flowers being not unattractive. It is a 
native of Madagascar but is now widely cultivated. Plants may be 
seen at the College of Hawaii grounds and on the Punahou Campus, 
near the caretaker's house. 
Euphorbia tirucalli L. is an erect, glabrous ornamental shrub with 
green, fleshy, cylindrical branches, without leaves, and has been planted 
at Waikiki opposite the Moana Hotel. It is a native of Africa but 
has become naturalized in India. 
Euphorbia antiquorum L. is a mall cactus-like milky tree with 
three or five angled fleshy branches with spines and very few leaves, 
which are deciduous. It is cultivated in parks and private premises. 
It is a native of the dry and hot regions of India and Ceylon, where 
it is commonly planted as a hedge. Specimens may be seen in Kapi- 
olani Park, on King Street, and elsewhere. 
Euphorbia trigona Haw., a similar species with three to five 
angled, fleshy, cactus-like branches, occurs here also; it differs from 
the foregoing in having petioled, obovate-spatulate, fleshy leaves, each 
between a pair of thorns. It is closely related to E. cattimandoo. 
It is a native of the Deccan, where it occurs in dry, rocky situations. 
Specimens may be seen in Mr. G. P. Wilder's premises. 
