Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common Name: Native Poplar

Native to Australia and other tropical areas, these shrubs are grown for their unusual flow­ers, which have no petals and form tassel-like clusters. The simple, alternate leaves are often interestingly coloured. This genus is unlikely to be available outside its native countries.

Species

O. populifolius, native bleeding heart, forms a large shrub or small tree, to about 4 m (13 ft). The heart-shaped leaves are dark green with paler veining, turning red with age. There are usually some red leaves on the shrub during the entire year. Borne in tassels, the yellow flow­ers are individually very small and insignificant.

Cultivation

Outside the tropics, grow in a warm greenhouse with a steady temperature, in pots of rich, soil-based potting compost. Water freely during the growing season but less during the winter. It can be propagated quite easily from seed under glass, or from cuttings during spring and summer.

Climate

Tropical.