Mediterranean Spurge Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

Mediterranean Spurge is a herbaceous perennial and subspecies in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) that is native to Southern France and as far east as Southwest Turkey. It is known for its shorter stature and more vivid colored flowers. It is a subshrub growing 2 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide. Spring flowers appear in large clusters with chartreuse cup-shaped blooms held above the foliage and are a showstopper. The attractive blue-green leaves are arranged in a whorl and may remain evergreen in warm winter climates. The stem exudes a milky, white, latex-like sap that is toxic.  Avoid skin contact, eye exposure, or oral ingestion. Gloves and eye protection are recommended when handling this plant.

The genus name, Euphorbia, honors a Greek physician, Euphorbus. The specific epithet, characias, is Latin and means a kind of spurge.  The subspecies, wulfenii, honors Austrian naturalist Franz Xavier von Wulfen (1728–1805). The subspecies is a shorter than the typical species. It also has more yellow flowers, larger leaves, and dark purple nectar glands. The common name, spurge, is derived from the Old French word, esurge, which means "to purge." The plant's sap was once used as a purgative.

This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and dry to medium, moist, well-drained soils. It is intolerant to clay soils and hot, humid summers. It is drought, dry soils, deer, rabbit, and pollution tolerant. After blooming, cut the flower stems off at the base since this will allow for more stems to emerge. The USDA Plant hardiness zones for this plant are  6 to 8, and the plants may need protected sites in cooler climates such as  Zone 6. It is propagated by seeds and readily self-seeds.

Mediterranean Spurge prefers a Mediterranean-type climate and may have problems with the hot, humid summer weather of North Carolina. It is a good choice for drier, sunny sites, raised beds, borders, rock gardens, and xeriscape gardens. It can also be grown in containers. This plant is prized for its unique flowers and the texture of its foliage. The sap of this subshrub is toxic and protective clothing and gloves are recommended.

Quick ID Hints:

• erect, woody base stems, grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide
• linear to obovate, blue-green leaves, spirally arranged that are larger than the species
• thick, bottlebrush-like greenish-yellow flowers in the spring
• lime-yellow bract with purple nectar glands
• stems have white milky sap

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mediterranean Spurge generally has no serious insect or disease issues. This plant is very sensitive to overwatering and may develop root rot in soils that do not drain well. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Euphorbia characias.