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Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae is often confused with:
Euphorbia x martini Close up of flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hylotelephium cauticola Sedum cauticola
Sedum makinoi Sedum makinoi
Viola cornuta Viola cornuta

Spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae

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

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.

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#evergreen shrub#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#evergreen shrub#perennial
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
  • 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