Euphorbia rigida
Common Name(s):
- 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.
Rigid Spurge grows in poor, sandy and rocky well-drained soils in full sun to some shade.
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.
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:
-
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
-
-
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
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
-
-
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
