Euphorbia lathyris
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tithymalus lathyris
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah lath-EYE-riss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Caper spurge is an annual or biennial herb that flowers from May to June. It can be found in the landscape as a cultivated herbaceous perennial, or weedy in disturbed areas, or escaping in waste places and around buildings. It is a subshrub and measures 5 inches to up 4 feet tall. The common names, mole plant and gopher spurge, are based on the belief that this plant repels these animals; however, this may be more folklore than fact. Caper spurge is toxic, and it was once used as a violent purgative. It is native to Central Asia to Pakistan and is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).
The caper spurge is easy to grow. It prefers full sun, well-drained soils, drought tolerant, and will grow almost anywhere. It is rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. It may be propagated by stem cuttings or seeds. The plant is self-seeding and can be difficult to remove once established.
The stems are erect, smooth, and glaucous. Leaves are opposite, linear, and smooth. On the upper stem the leaves become narrowly triangular. The flowers are small green to greenish-yellow with pale green leaf-like bracts. The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule that holds the tiny seeds.
The caper spurge should be managed carefully when grown in the landscape. It is fast-growing and reproduces easily; therefore, it has the potential to become invasive and could displace our native plants.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids and spider mites. Root root and powdery mildew can occur. Wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid the toxic milky sap. Keep this plant out of the reach of small children and pets.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- lathyris
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used as a folk remedy in Europe to remove warts and treat skin cancers.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Asia to Pakistan and China to North Vietnam
- Distribution:
- Introduced: Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Chile, East Himalaya, Ethiopia, France, German, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Ontario, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Spain, Tasmania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Himalaya, and the United States--AZ, CA, Ct, ID, IL, MD, MA, MT, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WV.
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinated by bees and wasps.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer resistant
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers give rise to capsules that are coarsely wrinkled and have 3 lobes. The capsules measure up to 1/2 inch in diameter. The seeds are green then ripening to brown or grey and produced in globular clusters of three seeds compressed together. The seeds are 4 to 6 mm in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are green to yellow-green, 0.2 of an inch in diameter, with no petals, but have pale green bracts. Flowers are either male or female, but both are found on the same plant. They are pollinated by bees.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are arranged in decussate opposite pairs at the top of the plant, and are lanceolate, 2 to 6 inches long and 1 inch broad, glaucous blue-green with a waxy texture and pale greenish-white midrib and veins. The margins are entire and the surface is smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are blue-green, erect, fleshy and can exude a milky latex.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
