Euphorbia nutans
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaesyce nutans
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh NUT-ans
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The nodding spurge is very similar to hyssop spurge but leaves are generally larger and younger foliage is softly hairy, losing hairs with age. Preliminary research suggests that nodding spurge is generally well-controlled by most herbicides that list "spurge" as a susceptible species.
Management Guidelines for Spurges: Because spurges flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Remove plants when young to reduce seed production. They are time-consuming to hand weed due to the number of seedlings that form. Some species may forcefully discharge seeds. Spurges are well-controlled by most preemergence herbicides labeled for use.
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:
- nutans Lag.
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Plants flower in summer and early fall then die, after frost. Flowers are greenish-white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves have red veins at the back of them. Leaves have hairs when younger.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green leaves have red stems
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
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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:
- No
