Caper Spruge Euphorbia lathyris
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah lath-EYE-riss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Caper spurge is an annual or biennial herb that flowers from May to June. It can be found in the landscape as a cultivated herbaceous perennial, or weedy in disturbed areas, or escaping in waste places and around buildings. It will grow well in most types of soil and in shade or sun. The plant is self-seeding and can be difficult to remove once established. Leaves alternate below and opposite above and yellow, crescent-shaped, glands on the rim of the cup-shaped "flower" contain large, 3-lobed capsules holding seeds. The growing plant is said to repel mice and moles (hence the common name Mole Plant), although this may be more folklore than fact. Caper spurge is toxic (see below) even though it was once used as a violent purgative.
Caper spurge prefers light well-drained soil in an open position and although it does best with dry soil, it will grow almost anywhere. It is rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. Wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid the toxic milky sap.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- lathyris
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Asia to Pakistan and China to North Vietnam
- Distribution:
- Mountains
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer resistant
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers give rise to capsules that are coarsely wrinkled and have 3 lobes. The seeds are green ripening brown or grey, produced in globular clusters 1/2 inch in diameter of three seeds compressed together.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are green to yellow-green, .2 of an inch in diameter, with no petals. Flowers are either male or female, but both are found on the same plant. Flowers are pollinated by flies.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are arranged in decussate opposite pairs at the top of the plant, and are lanceolate, 2 to 5 inches long and 1 inch broad, glaucous blue-green with a waxy texture and pale greenish-white midrib and veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are blue-green, erect, fleshy and can exude a milky latex.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
