Many-Colored Spurge Euphorbia epithymoides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Galarhoeus epithymoides
- Pythius epithymoides
- Tithymalus epithymoides
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah ee-pith-ih-MOY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The cushion spurge is an herbaceous flowering perennial that grows in a dome or cushion shape and is typically used as a ground cover or border plant. It has dense golden-yellow flowers in the spring plus an attractive fall foliage display. It grows up to 12 to 18 inches tall and equally as wide. It is native to central and southeastern Europe and northwest Turkey and is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).
This plant does well in full sun to partial shade and prefers loose, well-drained, light-texture 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. It is drought, deer, rabbit, and rocky soils tolerant. The plant self-seeds; therefore, deadheading spent flowers is recommended. It can also be propagated by division and stem cuttings. It is winter hardy in zones 4 to 8.
The stems are erect and exude a milky sap when broken. The leaves are a medium green, and they transition to shades of red, purple, or orange in the fall. In spring the insignificant flowers are surrounded by showy 1-inch yellow bracts and appear in terminal clusters. When mature, the plant will take a mounded form and have a spread of 18 inches.
Much of the literature reports that Euphorbia polychroma is synonymous with Euphorbia epithymoides; however, according to POWO, Euphorbia epithymoides subsp. epithymoides is the synonym for Euphorbia polychroma.
Cushion spurge is ideal for flower beds, borders, cottage gardens, or plant containers. The yellow bracts are very attractive, and the fall foliage will add interest to the landscape.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Generally, this plant has no serious diseases or insect problems. Monitor for nematodes, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
The milky sap is toxic to skin and eyes so be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when handling this plant. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested. Monitor small children and pets.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth 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:
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- 'Bonfire'
leaves are green then top growth turns deep red, orange, and purple, then rich red in the fall, bracts are yellow to chartreuse - 'Candy' or 'Purpurea'
purple stems, purplish leaves, pale yellow bracts - 'Emerald Jade'
up to 12 inches tall, showy fall foliage, and bright green bracts - Euphorbia epithymoides subsp. epithymoides (synonym--Euphorbia polychroma)
- 'First Blush'
12 inches tall, bright green leaves with pink and white edging, yellow bracts - 'Midas'
medium green foliage, bright yellow flowers and bracts, fall foliage tinged with red - 'Senior'
larger than species, narrow, medium green leaves, bright greenish-yellow bracts
- 'Bonfire'
- 'Bonfire', 'Candy' or 'Purpurea', 'Emerald Jade', Euphorbia epithymoides subsp. epithymoides (synonym--Euphorbia polychroma), 'First Blush', 'Midas', 'Senior'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bonfire'
leaves are green then top growth turns deep red, orange, and purple, then rich red in the fall, bracts are yellow to chartreuse - 'Candy' or 'Purpurea'
purple stems, purplish leaves, pale yellow bracts - 'Emerald Jade'
up to 12 inches tall, showy fall foliage, and bright green bracts - Euphorbia epithymoides subsp. epithymoides (synonym--Euphorbia polychroma)
- 'First Blush'
12 inches tall, bright green leaves with pink and white edging, yellow bracts - 'Midas'
medium green foliage, bright yellow flowers and bracts, fall foliage tinged with red - 'Senior'
larger than species, narrow, medium green leaves, bright greenish-yellow bracts
- 'Bonfire'
- 'Bonfire', 'Candy' or 'Purpurea', 'Emerald Jade', Euphorbia epithymoides subsp. epithymoides (synonym--Euphorbia polychroma), 'First Blush', 'Midas', 'Senior'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- epithymoides
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southeastern Europe to Northwest Turkey
- Distribution:
- Native: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia. Introduced: Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United States--NY and VT.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- 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
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- 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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- 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 in terminal clusters from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- 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:
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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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
