Plant DetailShow Menu

Churee Euphorbia royleana

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-ah roy-lee-AH-nah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Sullu spurge is an erect, deciduous, flowering shrub or tree with whorled, succulent, segmented branches and a stout, hairy trunk. It is armed with short prickles along its stems. It has a cactus-like appearance, although it is unrelated to cactus. Leaves are clustered and large and appear during the moist season and soon fall. Spines are downward-pointing pairs with broad flat faces. The plant is mildly toxic and the sap can irritate skin and eyes.

The plant is easy to grow preferring well-drained soil and full sun. Unlike most succulents, the Sullu spurge does not tolerate long periods of drought.

In its native Pakistan, it is often found on dry and rocky slopes at high altitudes. It is used as a living hedge to control livestock in northern India.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known plant problems.

 

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#houseplant#succulent#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#houseplant#succulent#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    royleana
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Pakistan to South China and Taiwan
    Edibility:
    toxic if ingested
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Dense
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The seeds are brown, adaxially striate; caruncle absent.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are small, greenish-yellow. The cyathia, or false flowers, are almost stalkless with 3 to 4 clustered in subterminal cymes in leaf axils.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are apically clustered, produced in the moist season and soon fall. They are usually not seen when in flower. The leaf blade is 2 to 6 inches long, 1 1/2 inches wide and slightly succulent. The base is attenuate. Veins are inconspicuous. The petiole is absent.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    Whorled branches, 4 or 5 ridged, the spines paired and pointing downward. stems become leafless during hot and cold season.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Spines/Thorns
  • 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:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems