Euphorbia
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
This genus consists of over 2,000 species commonly called spurge. The plants can be annual, biennial, but most are perennial herbs, weeds, shrubs, and small trees. All, however, emit a toxic milky latex when cut with varying degrees of toxicity.
Euphorbias flowers are usually tiny and nondescript although in many species, the bracts around the individual flowers can be showy. Some species can grow quite tall; however, the typical plant attains a height of 18 inches and, in spring, displays clusters of colorful bracts. These bracts should be trimmed off after bloom to maintain a tidy appearance. Euphorbia can be propagated in the summer with cuttings . In some areas it can become weedy. All species of spurge have a milky plant sap of low toxicity that can irritate skin or open wounds and can cause nausea or vomiting if other parts of the plant are ingested. If you are attempting to propagate the plant from cuttings, be sure to wear gloves.
While the preferred environment varies among species, most grow best in full sun or bright direct light and appreciate some afternoon shade. Grow in well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix.
Quick ID:
- Symmetrical pairs of spines arising from a shield or old flowers (NOT areoles)
- Milky sap
- Flowers are a cyathium; one pistil or stamen and two colored bracts
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ascot Rainbow'
Green leaves with chartruse edging - 'Diamond Frost'
- 'Galaxy Glow'
- 'Silver Swan'
Gray and white variegted leaves, year round interest
E. characias
E. corollata
E. cotinifolia
E. cyparissias
E. epithymoides
E. esula
E. heterophylla var. cyathophora
E. hirta
E. horrida 'Nova'
E. hypericifolia
E. hyssopifolia
E. lactea
E. lathyris
E. maculata
E. mammillaris
E. marginata
E. milii
E. myrsinites
E. nutans
E. palustris
E. peplus
E. prostrata
E. pulcherrima
E. resinifera
E. rigida
E. royleana
E. serpens
E. tirucalli
E. tithymaloides
E. umbellata
E. x martini
- 'Ascot Rainbow'
- 'Ascot Rainbow', 'Diamond Frost', E. amygdaloides subsp. robbiae, E. characias, E. corollata, E. cotinifolia, E. cyparissias, E. epithymoides, E. esula, E. heterophylla var. cyathophora, E. hirta, E. horrida 'Nova', E. hypericifolia, E. hyssopifolia, E. lactea, E. lathyris, E. maculata, E. mammillaris, E. marginata, E. milii, E. myrsinites, E. nutans, E. palustris, E. peplus, E. prostrata, E. pulcherrima, E. resinifera, E. rigida, E. royleana, E. serpens, E. tirucalli, E. tithymaloides, E. umbellata, E. x martini, 'Galaxy Glow', 'Silver Swan'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ascot Rainbow'
Green leaves with chartruse edging - 'Diamond Frost'
- 'Galaxy Glow'
- 'Silver Swan'
Gray and white variegted leaves, year round interest
E. characias
E. corollata
E. cotinifolia
E. cyparissias
E. epithymoides
E. esula
E. heterophylla var. cyathophora
E. hirta
E. horrida 'Nova'
E. hypericifolia
E. hyssopifolia
E. lactea
E. lathyris
E. maculata
E. mammillaris
E. marginata
E. milii
E. myrsinites
E. nutans
E. palustris
E. peplus
E. prostrata
E. pulcherrima
E. resinifera
E. rigida
E. royleana
E. serpens
E. tirucalli
E. tithymaloides
E. umbellata
E. x martini
- 'Ascot Rainbow'
- 'Ascot Rainbow', 'Diamond Frost', E. amygdaloides subsp. robbiae, E. characias, E. corollata, E. cotinifolia, E. cyparissias, E. epithymoides, E. esula, E. heterophylla var. cyathophora, E. hirta, E. horrida 'Nova', E. hypericifolia, E. hyssopifolia, E. lactea, E. lathyris, E. maculata, E. mammillaris, E. marginata, E. milii, E. myrsinites, E. nutans, E. palustris, E. peplus, E. prostrata, E. pulcherrima, E. resinifera, E. rigida, E. royleana, E. serpens, E. tirucalli, E. tithymaloides, E. umbellata, E. x martini, 'Galaxy Glow', 'Silver Swan'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Africa and Asia
- Distribution:
- worldwide
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is called a cyathium, which is a cluster of both staminate and pistillate flowers surrounded by bracts and nectar glands. The cyathium functions like a single flower. True flowers are unisexual and are not showy (they lack petals or sepals); however, the bracts surrounding the cyathium may be showy.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Comes in many color variations of green included variegated with white or yellow stripes. Some species have leaves on top of a thick caudex or along woody branches, others have long, succulent branches, and others have spines like a cactus (actually a modified stipule and/or peduncle).
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems vary wildly among species; may be long and thin or thick like a cactus, fleshy and succulent or woody and branched.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
-
-
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:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
