Gout plant is native to the tropical portions of Central America, from Guatemala to
Panama. It has become naturalized in other tropical regions throughout the world.
It is a member of the euphorbia family.
Identification: Reaches 1½-3′ (45-91 cm) in height. The stems are
swollen and knobby. Large, three-lobed leaves are dropped during the winter. When seeds ripen, the pods explode, sending seeds several feet. Pods are roughly spherical, about ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) in diameter. The blooms are
the most distinctive, a bright orange/red/pink color that is so striking that it looks almost artificial. Each
flower is about ¼″ (6.3 mm) across, with five red petals and a yellow center. The stalks supporting the
flowers match the color of the flowers.
Edibility: Poisonous Contains several toxic substances.