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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.

More information on Euphorbia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Shorty'
    Dwarf variety
'Shorty'
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#spring flowers#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#perennial#fall color#full sun#xeriscapes#partial shade#small groups
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Shorty'
    Dwarf variety
'Shorty'
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#spring flowers#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#perennial#fall color#full sun#xeriscapes#partial shade#small groups
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green stems die back after flowering
  • 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