Euphorbia rigida
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia myrsinites subsp. myrsinites
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh RIG-ih-duh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Rigid Spurge is an evergreen perennial in the spurge family that is native to southern Europe. The succulent type blue-green leaves spiral around the stems and acquire reddish-bronze tones in fall. The flowers are small and greenish and are surrounded by chartreuse bracts in clusters at the stem ends. The stems exude a milky sap that can be irritating so wear gloves when handling. This plant will freely self-seed.
Rigid Spurge grows in poor, sandy and rocky well-drained soils in full sun to some shade. Use in a rock garden, Xeriscape landscaping or containers.
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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- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- rigida
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Europe
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Clumping
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Lobed oval green capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Small green flowers surrounded by chartreuse-yellow bracts terminal stems in April-June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 1-1.5 inch long blue-green succulent type lance-shaped and acuminate leaves spiral around the thick stem. Fall color is red to bronze tones.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
