Tragia spp.

noseburns

Euphorbiaceae Americas, Africa, and southern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–11

Overview

Tragia spp. is a genus of roughly 150 species of perennial herbs and twining climbers in the spurge family, distributed across tropical and warm-temperate regions of the Americas, Africa, and southern Asia. Most species reach 0.3-2 m (1-6.5 ft), growing either as low-spreading herbs or as slender vines that scramble over neighbouring vegetation. The stems and foliage carry stinging hairs that release irritant compounds on contact, producing a burning, nettle-like sensation that gives the genus its common name. Leaves are alternate and simple, ranging from narrow and unlobed to broadly three-lobed, with toothed margins and blades 2-10 cm (0.8-4 in) long. The flowers are small, greenish to reddish, and lack petals, with separate male and female flowers carried on the same slender raceme. Fruit is a three-lobed capsule 6-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) wide that splits open to eject its seeds. Species occupy dry woodland, rocky slopes, scrub, and disturbed ground. The stinging trichomes make the foliage difficult to handle and keep the genus to a minor role in cultivation. North American species include T. betonicifolia and T. ramosa.

Native Range

Tragia spp. occurs across the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and southern and southeastern Asia, with centres of diversity in tropical America and Africa. North American species range through the southern and central United States into Mexico, while others extend across India and tropical Africa.

Suggested Uses

Tragia spp. is seldom planted ornamentally and is most often seen as a wild component of dry woodland, scrub, and prairie. In native-plant and habitat plantings the foliage and seed support local insects and small wildlife. The twining species climb low fences and shrubs, reaching 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft).

How to Identify

The stinging hairs on stems and leaves separate Tragia spp. from non-irritant twining plants sharing its habitats. Leaves are alternate and toothed, varying from simple to three-lobed. The small petalless flowers sit on slender racemes, with a few female flowers at the base below the more numerous male flowers. The three-lobed capsule, 6-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) across, distinguishes it from the rounded fruit of many co-occurring vines.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'6"

Width/Spread1' - 5'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer, with North American species blooming May-September depending on latitude and rainfall. The greenish flowers are inconspicuous and pollinated by small insects. In tropical parts of the range, some species flower whenever soil moisture is adequate.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish to reddish

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most Tragia spp. species grow in full sun to part shade on well-drained sandy, rocky, or loamy soils, including poor ground. Established plants withstand seasonal drought, drawing on deep or tuberous roots, and need little supplemental water once rooted. They accept a soil pH of about 6.0-7.5. Growth is fastest in warm conditions; temperate species die back in winter and regrow from the rootstock in spring. The stinging hairs cause skin irritation on contact, which makes routine handling difficult. Few species are sold in the nursery trade.

Pruning

Pruning is rarely undertaken because of the stinging hairs. Where stems are cut back, the work is done in late winter or early spring before new growth resumes. Temperate species can be cut to the ground during dormancy and will regrow from the rootstock.