Rigid Spurge Euphorbia rigida
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia biglandulosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh RIG-ih-duh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Rigid Spurge is a shrubby, evergreen perennial in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family native to southern Europe and western Asia that grows in a clump 1 - 2 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet wide. It has blue-green leaves with chartreuse-yellow star-shaped flowers in the spring. Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC. Rigida is for the erect stems of the plant.
Rigid spurge grows in poor, sandy and rocky well-drained loam soils in full sun but it will tolerate some shade. This plant is not bothered by deer and is salt tolerant. It is said to repel gophers, hence one of its common names. Propagation is by seed or stem cutting. The foliage turns an interesting red to bronze color in the fall. Even though it is evergreen, in cold climates, the foliage will decline especially in wind. Hardy in zones 7 - 10, it tends to be shorter lived in warm winter climates. As with all euphorbias, rigid spurge exudes a milky sap from the stems and leaves that can be toxic.
This plant achieved the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK. In other areas of its native range, it is considered a weed.
Use in a rock garden, Xeriscape landscaping or containers.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Rigid spurge has no serious insect or disease problems. Some people experience skin rashes from contact with the toxic sticky plant sap of euphorbias.
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'
Dwarf variety
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Shorty'
Dwarf variety
- 'Shorty'
- 'Shorty'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- rigida
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Europe and Western Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought tolerant, and deer resistant. Tolerates rocky soils and dry conditions..
- 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
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Lobed oval green capsule
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Small star-shaped yellow-green flowers surrounded by chartreuse, bright yellow bracts on terminal stems in April-June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- 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 Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems die back after flowering
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- 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:
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Stems