Staghorn Coral Euphorbia resinifera
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah res-in-IH-fer-ah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Euphorbia resinifera, or Resin Spurge, is a species of spurge with erect succulent stems that, at first glance, have the appearance of cactus. The plant is a dense, slow-growing shrub forming a multi-stemmed, cushion-shaped clump that can grow to 24 inches tall and spreading to 6 feet, 7 inches wide. The ascending branches are pale green with four ridges, short, sharp spines and small, inconspicuous flowers. It is sometimes used as a houseplant.
Resin Spurge has stiff, mounding form. It is generally leafless with the stems providing photosynthesis. The flowers are small, simple, and bright yellow. Flowering is rare out of its native range. It grows best in partial to full sun and is tolerant of alkaline and saline soils; however, soils must be well drained. Little to no additional water is needed during most of the year. Supplemental water is needed only during the hottest months of the summer. Stem cuttings (resin spurge branches profusely and stem segments are readily available). Allow stem segments (propagules) to dry for a week before planting so the wound can seal. Unsealed cuttings, planted too soon, will easily rot before they can grow roots.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or other plant 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:
- resinifera
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Morocco
- Edibility:
- Toxic
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A small capsule with one seed in each cell.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small, simple, and bright yellow.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Insignificant
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are erect, succulent, superficially like a cactus, four-angled, with short but sharp pairs of 0.24 inch spines on the angles, spaced about 0.39 inches apart up the stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- When ingested, sap from the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when ingested. If your skin should come in contact with the sap, expect redness, swelling, or blisters after some delay. The plant causes only low toxicity if eaten. Skin irritation is minor and of short duration. Resin euphorbia emits a thick white milky sap known as latex when stems are cut or damaged. The latex is particularly dangerous for the eyes, skin and mucous membranes and will produce burning pain in bones and limbs, paralytic weakness in the joints, and respiratory and skin toxicity.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
