Family: Euphorbiaceae

Beefsteak is a colorful tropical shrub that is a popular ornamental primarily for its leaf color and can be easily propagated by cuttings. On just one leaf, the colors range from coppery green to red to purple. This plant is naturally bushy but can tolerate clipping of the growing tip. Be careful pruning this plant too often, though, as it can become leggy. The flowers are insignificant compared with the bright foliage. Leaf color is most vibrant in full sun, and it makes a great border or hedge.

Plant Uses:

• Hedge
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric Weeds: Several related species are documented as serious or principal weeds.
  
• Tolerance to Pruning: Can tolerate severe pruning, enabling persistence in managed landscapes.

Low Risk Traits:

• Naturalization: No evidence of becoming naturalized where grown.
  
• Toxicity: Not reported as toxic to humans or animals
  
• Shade Intolerance: Requires full sun, unlikely to invade shaded forests.
  
• Seed Production: Fruits infrequently formed in cultivation; unlikely to produce prolific seeds.
  
• Dispersal: Propagules not adapted for wind, water, or bird dispersal (likely ant-dispersed, limited spread).
  
• Fire Hazard: Evergreen; does not increase fire risk.
  
• Vegetative Spread: No evidence of reproduction by fragmentation.