Spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Spurge:
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia robbiae
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah am-ig-duh-LO-id-eez ro-bee-AY
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Wood Spurge, is a herbaceous, perennial, fast-growing evergreen shrub with a brilliant yellow/green bloom in the Spring. It is bushy and compact and typically grows in an upright rounded mound to 12 to 20 inches tall. The plant is rhizomatous (i.e., 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.
Wood Spurge grows best in dry to medium, 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. Wood Spurge tolerates poor soils, including rocky-sandy ones.
Wood Spurge will self-seed in the garden unless spent flowers are deadheaded before the flowers set seeds.
The subspecies robbiae, commonly known as Mrs. Robb’s Hatbox, differs from Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amyglaoides by having broader, dark green leaves in rosettes with a more rapid rhizomatous spread. The rapid spread makes this subspecies an excellent ground cover, but it can spread too much and outgrow the space allotted to it.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
A native of Mediterranean-type climates, the plant may show stress in hot and humid summers. No serious insect or disease problems. Use gloves when working with this plant to avoid contact with the toxic sap that can irritate skin.
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 landscapes:
- Dry Rock Stream Garden Plant Walls and Hedges Paths & Walkways
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- amygdaloides subsp. robbiae
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern Africa, Western Asia, Europe
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Black
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- 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, black-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.
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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.
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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
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- 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:
- Sap/Juice
