regnum-plantae:

Acalypha wilkesiana, Euphorbiaceae

‘Java white’ & ‘Macrophylla’ 

These two striking cultivars of copperleaf, an evergreen and ever variegated shrub native to the Pacific Islands, were the plants of choice to add colour in the shady corners around the buildings of the resort I stayed in when I was in Lanzarote. It looks like it wasn’t the best of choices though, as they tend to show very easily the damage drought (or inefficient irrigation) can cause, with crispy brown leaf edges and tips. However, water is really precious on an arid, rocky island, and the plants look fine enough with their bold colours, so it’s not a big deal. From a distance they almost look like poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which is another Euphorbiacea, but their floral structures are pretty different: in the top photo you can see numerous short spikes of female flowers, while in the bottom one a few long spikes of male flowers, all produced by the plant at the same time. 

Not these ornamental varieties, but the actual wild species has been used in a variety of medicinal ways in its native range, which I don’t doubt were useful, but I don’t think I would try to use an Euphorbiacea that way due to the possible toxicity. Maybe I’m cautious because a tiny petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus) almost blinded me when I was little…

As a bonus you can see some more of the black and highly functional crushed lava rock mulch known as lapillo in the background of the middle photo, which features the very red A. wilkesiana ‘Macrophylla’. This substrate is readily available on a volcanic island and perfect to retain the moisture provided by the irrigation system while allowing very good drainage and circulation of humid air, fundamental for this species to thrive.