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Garden Spurge Euphorbia hypericifolia

Other plants called Garden Spurge:

Previously known as:

  • Chamaesyce glomerifera
  • Euphorbia bifida
  • Euphorbia glomerifera
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-uh hy-PER-ee-see-FOH-lee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Graceful Spurge is a perennial branched herb, spreading to erect, growing up to 2 feet high. It is native to the tropical Americas and as with most euphorbias, contains a milky sap that is a skin and eye irritant, so wear gloves and eye protection when handling this plant. In NC it can be grown as an annual or brought inside for winter. The flowers themselves are insignificant but are they surrounded by showy white bracts. There is no deadheading needed and it will bloom all season long.

Plant in light well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It is deer, heat, and drought tolerant. Use this plant in a border front, rock gardens, containers, and hanging pots. If bringing this plant inside for the winter, cut it back and place it in a sunny window.

 

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 landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Breathless™ Series, 'Inneuphe' DIAMOND FROST, 'Silverfog'
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#hanging baskets#tender perennial#long bloom time#rock garden#border planting#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Breathless™ Series, 'Inneuphe' DIAMOND FROST, 'Silverfog'
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#hanging baskets#tender perennial#long bloom time#rock garden#border planting#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    hypericifolia
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and subtropical Americas
    Distribution:
    AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , LA , MD , NM , SC , TX
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a 3-lobed capsule, slightly wrinkled, greyish purple with 3 seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clustered heads contain 1 female flower surrounded by many male flowers that are insignificant but are surrounded by showy white bracts. Blooms the season long.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves opposite, simple, hairy margins, blade elliptical-oblong to oblong, up to 1.5 inches long, base cuneate, asymmetric, apex obtuse, margin obscurely toothed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Problems:
    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
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems