© Amaury Durbano, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Excoecaria spp.
Blind-your-eye
Old World tropics (Asia, Africa, northern Australia, Pacific)
Overview
Excoecaria is a genus of about 35 to 40 species of evergreen shrubs and trees in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, distributed through the tropics of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific. All parts contain a milky white latex that is strongly caustic; contact with skin causes blistering and irritation, and the latex of E. agallocha can cause temporary blindness if it reaches the eyes, the source of the common name blind-your-eye. Plants range from 3 to 50 feet (1-15 m) tall, from low ornamental shrubs to mangrove trees. Leaves are alternate or opposite, simple, and often glossy; in E. cochinchinensis they are green above and red to purple beneath, the trait grown for in gardens. The flowers are small and without petals, carried in slender catkin-like spikes, with male and female flowers usually on separate plants. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule that splits to release its seeds. E. agallocha grows in mangroves and coastal swamps, while the ornamental shrub species occur in tropical forest understory. The genus needs a warm, frost-free climate. Cold below freezing kills or severely damages the plants, restricting outdoor culture to the tropics and subtropics.
Native Range
Excoecaria is native to the Old World tropics, ranging across South and South-East Asia, tropical Africa, northern Australia, and Pacific islands, in habitats from coastal mangroves to inland forest.Suggested Uses
The coloured-leaved species are grown in tropical foliage beds, shrub borders, and large containers, including indoors in bright light. E. agallocha is part of mangrove and coastal ecosystems within its native range. Placement away from paths and play areas is usual because of the caustic latex.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 50'
Width/Spread3' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy green, red to purple beneath in some speciesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade in moist, free-draining soil in a warm, frost-free climate. The ornamental shrub species, such as E. cochinchinensis, develop the deepest leaf colour in bright light with steady warmth and humidity. Soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.5 is tolerated. Water regularly through the growing season, as the genus has limited drought tolerance, and reduce watering in cooler months. Outdoor culture is limited to tropical and subtropical zones 9 to 11, with container culture under glass elsewhere. The caustic latex flows from any pruning cut and irritates skin and eyes on contact.Pruning
Prune in spring to shape the shrub and remove damaged growth, cutting before active growth resumes. The cut stems exude caustic milky latex that irritates skin and eyes on contact. Tools and cut surfaces are rinsed after pruning to remove residue.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons