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Mediterranean Spurge Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Mediterranean Spurge:

Previously known as:

  • Euphorbia wulfenii
  • Tithymalus wulfenii
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This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jimmy Platt'
  • 'Lampbrook Gold'
    Yellower flowers
  • 'Shorty'
    Compact plant
'Jimmy Platt', 'Lampbrook Gold', 'Shorty'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#showy leaves#low maintenance#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#herbaceous perennial#milky sap#long bloom time#rock garden#border planting#clumping#subshrub#small group plantings#butterfly friendly#skin irritation#humidity intolerant#clay soils intolerant#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#perennial#patio#butterfly garden#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jimmy Platt'
  • 'Lampbrook Gold'
    Yellower flowers
  • 'Shorty'
    Compact plant
'Jimmy Platt', 'Lampbrook Gold', 'Shorty'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#showy leaves#low maintenance#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#herbaceous perennial#milky sap#long bloom time#rock garden#border planting#clumping#subshrub#small group plantings#butterfly friendly#skin irritation#humidity intolerant#clay soils intolerant#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#perennial#patio#butterfly garden#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    characias
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern France to Southwest Turkey
    Distribution:
    Native: Albania, East Aegean Island, France, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Turkey, and Yugoslavia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Cyndrical clusters of greenish-yellow flowers held above the foliage appear in spring and are long-lasting. No true petals but has colorful cup-shaped bracts with purple nectar glands.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow blue-green leaves arranged in a whorled pattern up the stem and measure up to 5 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Green stems with a milky sap
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
  • 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:
    Sap/Juice