Cushion Spurge Euphorbia epithymoides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia polychroma
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah ee-pith-ih-MOY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Cushion Spurge is an herbaceous flowering perennial that grows in a dome or cushion shape and is typically used as a ground cover. The plant does well in sun to light shade and prefers loose, dry, light-textured, well-drained sandy to gravelly soil. Afternoon shade is beneficial during southern summers, but too much shade can cause the plant to become leggy and lose the cushion shape it is known for.
In spring the insignificant flowers are surrounded by showy 1-inch yellow bracts and appear in terminal clusters. In fall the leaves become red-tinged. When mature, the plant will take a mounded form and have a spread of 18 inches. You should space the plantings 14 to 20 inches apart. Cushion Spurge is drought tolerant. The plant self-seeds, so dead-heading spent flowers is recommended.
The milky sap is toxic to skin and eyes so be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when handling this plant.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Midas
- Midas
- Midas
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Midas
- Midas
- Midas
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- epithymoides
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & South Eastern Europe to NW. Turkey and Libya
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer and drought resistant
- Edibility:
- Stems exude a slightly toxic, milky sap when cut.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The green flowers are insignificant as they lack petals and sepals. However, they are surrounded by showy 1-inch yellow bracts from April to June in terminal clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Stems bear downy, medium green leaves to 2 inches long. Oblong leaves are stemless and display good fall colors.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect, sturdy stems with milky sap.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- 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
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
