Plant DetailShow Menu

Euphorbia rigida

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.

More information on Euphorbia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Shorty'
'Shorty'
Tags:
#poisonous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Shorty'
'Shorty'
Tags:
#poisonous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Clumping
    Erect
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Lobed oval green capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Description:
    Small green flowers surrounded by chartreuse-yellow bracts terminal stems in April-June.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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