Jamaican Poinsettia
Take a close look – that flower is actually a leaf. Discover this unique plant in the Garden Gallery inside of our ENMAX Conservatory.
A trickster plant
The reddish-pink hues of this plant aren’t actually flowers – they are modified leaves known as bracts. Bracts are commonly associated with a plant’s reproductive structure, just as flowers are, but on a Jamaican poinsettia this is called a cyathium, or false flower. Just like other poinsettias, these maintain an association with Christmas by “flowering” from Christmas to midsummer.
- Latin Name: Euphorbia punicea
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (at relatively low risk of extinction)
- Type: Spurge plant
- Produces: Bracts and fruit
- Habitat: Jamaica and other Caribbean islands
- USDA Climate Zone: 10
- Size: Up to 10 metres tall
facts about our plants
Fun Facts about Jamaican Poinsettias
The plant contains a latex sap that can be irritating to the skin.
Jamaican poinsettia can grow as a bush or as a tree.
This plant is known as an evergreen succulent shrub.
It has a sweet nectar enjoyed by warblers and honeybees.
It has a branching structure.
Jamaican poinsettia can produce balloon-shaped fruit.
Donate
How you can help
Your donation makes a world of difference. With support for animal care, conservation programs, and education, you’re making the world wilder.
Meet our Plants
ENMAX Conservatory
Plan your visit
Get close to wildlife
It’s time to make some memories. Here’s everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable day at the zoo.