Euphorbia marginata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah mar-jin-AH-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Snow on the mountain is an annual forb in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to the Great Plains that has been cultivated in gardens and has escaped into the wild in many other states. It is weedy in disturbed areas including pastures, waste places, and can be found growing along roadsides. The genus name probably honors Euphorbus, physician to the King of Mauretania. The specific epithet is in reference to the white leaf margins.
These plants grow on a single stem 1-3 feet tall. They prefer full sun and tolerate poor soils as long as they are well-drained. In hot summer climates some protection from the hot afternoon sun may be needed. Too much shade will cause the plants to be floppy. They are deer and drought-resistant. Plants will reseed themselves in the garden.
The attractive gray-green leaves are edged in white near the stem ends and sometimes all white. The flowers are long-lasting and occur in clusters from summer to fall.
Use this plant in naturalized areas, borders or as an annual ground cover for sunny dry areas.
Stems and leaves contain a milky latex sap that can cause contact dermatitis for some be sure to wear gloves.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for aphids. Can be weedy.
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:
- marginata
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Central & Central U.S.A. to East & South Mexico
- Distribution:
- Now found in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract various pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Rabbit, Deer, Drought, Air Pollution
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The three-parted capsule is round to egg-shaped. Green that matures to dark gray. Contains three ridged seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Broad, white margins on leafy bracts surround the center which consists of many male flowers surrounding a single female flower. They appear in clusters called cyathia.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are green with white margins and up to 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. They are oblong to elliptical in shape with a pointed tip, entire margins and stemless. They are alternate on the stem but may be whorled in the upper flowering branches.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems have hairs and produce a milky latex sap
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- 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
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
