Euphorbia heterophylla, also known under the common names of Mexican fireplant, painted euphorbia, Japanese poinsettia, paintedleaf, painted spurge and milkweed,[3] is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family.

[5] Euphorbia heterophylla grows between 30 and 100 cm tall and has hollow stems that may be branched or simple with angular ribs.

It is pollinated by insects which are attracted to large amounts of nectar the plant produces.

The cyathia or false flowers, are located in clusters at the head of the stalk and are yellowish green.

E. heterophylla has developed herbicide resistance against fomesafen and imazethapyr in its native Brazil.