Scientific Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Tragia angustifolia, Tragia nepetifolia var. ramosa, Tragia stylaris
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 to 16 inches
Riparian
No
Erect plant with several to many stems and little branched. Leaf hairs produce a temporary but painful rash similar to stinging nettle (Urtica spp.).
Leaves are covered with short, stinging hairs; leaf margins are coarsely and sharply serrate.
Habitat
Open, rocky slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
7400
Flower Characteristics
There are both male and female flowers. Male flowers have 4 to 5 red sepals, no petals and 4 to 5 yellowish-green stamens. Female flowers have 5 to 7 red sepals and no petals. Both flowers are less than 1/8 inch long.
Flower color
Red, yellowish-green
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are narrow (lance-like) or triangular, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long and covered with coarse, stinging hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1/8 inch long or a little longer, strongly 3-lobed and coarsely hairy.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Spherical seeds are to 1/8 inch, smooth and brown.