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Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae is often confused with:
Euphorbia x martinii Close up of flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Euphorbia characias Form in September in Tarragona, Spain
Euphorbia epithymoides Euphorbia polychroma
Euphorbia x martinii Close up of flowers

Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae

Previously known as:

  • Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
  • Euphorbia robbiae
  • Tithymalus robbiae
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-ah am-ig-duh-LO-id-eez ro-bee-AY
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Mrs. Robb's Hatbox is a subspecies of Euphorbia amygdaloides and is also known as wood spurge. The subspecies robbiae differs from the species by having rosettes of broad, dark green leaves and a more rapid rhizomatous spread. The rapid spread makes this subspecies an excellent ground cover, but it can spread too much and outgrow its allotted space. The subspecies name, robbiae, is in honor of a botanist and plant collector, Mary Ann Robb. She discovered this plant near Istanbul, Turkey in 1891 and brought cuttings and seeds of this plant back to her home in Liphook, Hampshire. The common name references the fact that she used her hatbox to transport the seeds and cuttings home. The specific epithet, amygdaloides, originates from the Latin word, amygdalinus and means "almond-like."

Mrs. Robb's Hatbox grows best in dry to medium moist, loose, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. If the soil is wet, especially in winter, the plant can die. It prefers afternoon shade if your site includes hot summer days, but if there is too much shade, the attractively shaped clumps can open up. It also tolerates poor soils, including rocky-sandy soils. This plant can be propagated by division in the spring, and it will also self-seed in the garden unless spent flowers are deadheaded before the flowers set seeds.

This fast-growing, evergreen perennial  shrub grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 2.5 feet wide. It forms a dense carpet of rosettes in colonies of shiny, deep green, spatulate to obovate leaves and showy, lime-green bracts with a small cluster of apetalous flowers. The plant is rhizomatous, producing new plants from underground runners, and is often used as a ground cover. When planting, space the plants 18 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.

Mrs. Robb's hatbox may be used as a ground cover in flower beds, borders, cottage gardens, or coastal gardens.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: A native of Mediterranean-type climates, the plant may show stress in hot and humid summers of North Carolina. It is a highly pest resistant species. Overwatering can cause root rot.

All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested. Keep the plant out of the reach of small children and pets. Use protective gloves and eyewear when handling this plant to avoid contact with the toxic sap.

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Euphorbia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Dry Rock Stream Garden Plant Walls and Hedges Paths & Walkways
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Redud'
    up to 2 ft tall, red stems, green leaves, small chartreuse flowers
'Redud'
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#evergreen shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#perennial#border#ground cover
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Redud'
    up to 2 ft tall, red stems, green leaves, small chartreuse flowers
'Redud'
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#evergreen shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#perennial#border#ground cover
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    amygdaloides subsp. robbiae
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northwest Turkey
    Distribution:
    Introduced: Belgium, Great Britain, and Ireland
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    highly insect pest resistant
    Edibility:
    toxic if ingested
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a small, 3-lobed capsule that contains the seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Stems are topped in spring by an 8 inch inflorescence containing yellow-green flowers borne in cyathia. The true flowers lack sepals and petals and are inconspicuous (single pistillate flower is ringed by several staminate flowers). However these flowers are subtended by long-lasting, yellow-green, leaf-like floral bracts which are showy.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Spatulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Closely set, small, dark green leaves resembling pittosporum foliage. Three inch long leaves are purple tinted beneath. Lower leaves are alternate along the stems with the upper leaves in whorls. Leaves retain good green color throughout summer, but acquire attractive purple-burgundy tones with the onset of cooler fall weather.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Broken stems exude a white milky sap that can be poisonous if ingested.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Insect Pests
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • 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:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems