Cancer Weed Euphorbia peplus
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cancer Weed:
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh PE-plus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Petty Spurge, is a herbaceous annual growing to about a foot high. It is a small, branched, upright plant with pale geen foliage and stems. It resembles leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), but differs in that it is smaller in stature and does not spread by underground runners. It prefers moist, shady locations, but will grow and spread in most disturbed areas. This plant flowers most of the year.
Petty Spurge produces distinctive bracts (modified leaves) below small, pale green flowers. It s native to most of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia and is widely distributed in North America. It can typically be found on cultivated, arable land, gardens, and other disturbed areas. Outside of its native range, it is widely naturalized and often invasive. No specific data are available on seed dormancy and germination but plants are prolific seed producers and emerge beginning in the cool weather of fall and continue through late spring.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or other 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:
- peplus
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is sometimes called Cancer Weed because components of its sap are being studied for the treatment of skin cancer, leukemia, warts and sunspots.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to the Western Himalaya, Mediterranean to Somalia
- Distribution:
- throughout
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a very small capsule that contains black to dark brown seeds with 3 to 4 pits on one side.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers in three-rayed umbels are small and insignificant; yellowish-green in colour, held in leafy bunches. Blooms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval-acute 1 inch leaves with smooth margins are alternate at the base and opposite further up the stem. The thin, soft leaves are oval, rounded to obovate, pale green in color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth, hairless stems that are red at the bottom and green at the top.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- 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:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Sap/Juice
