Royle's Spurge Euphorbia royleana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia pentagona
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah roy-lee-AH-nah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sullu spurge is an erect, deciduous, columnar, flowering shrub or small tree that has a whorled, succulent, segmented branches and a stout, hairy trunk. It is armed with short prickles along its stems. It can grow 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide. It is native to Pakistan, China, and Taiwan, and it is often found on dry and rocky slopes at high altitudes. This species is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).
This plant is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Unlike most succulents, the Sullu spurge does not tolerate long periods of drought, and It can not tolerate very wet soil either. It is best to water this plant when the soil is dry several inches below the surface. It is are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b. Propagate by seeds or cuttings: however, sometimes germination of the seeds can be difficult.
The Sullu spurge has a cactus-like appearance, although it is unrelated to cactus. The main stem can become up to 20 inches thick, and the branches can reach up to 3 inches thick. The branches are fleshy, green, segmented, and have 5 to 7 ribs. The leaves are alternate, large, and clustered at the apex of the branches. The leaves are fleshy oblanceolate or spathulate and measures 2 to 6 inches long and 0.25 to 1.5 inches wide. They appear during the moist season, but the branches become leafless in the hot and cold seasons of the year. Spines are downward-pointing pairs with broad flat faces. The flowers appear in the spring and summer and consist of a cyathia that is small, greenish-yellow, and appear in clusters of 3 or 4 in the leaf axils.
This plant is used as a living hedge to control livestock in northern India. In warm climates, it may be used as accent or landscape planting. It also can be grown as a patio container planting.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: This plant tends to have very few insect pests. Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot.
The plant is mildly toxic and the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear protective gloves when handling this plant. Keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- royleana
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used as a hedge and for medicinal purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Pakistan to China, and Taiwan
- Distribution:
- Native: Assam, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Taiwan, and West Himalaya
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Screening
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Columnar
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule is light reddish brown and smooth. They measure 0.5 to 0.75 inches long. The seeds are brown, adaxially striate; caruncle absent.
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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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- 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, 0.25 to 1.5 inches wide and slightly succulent. They are fleshy, oblanceolate or spathulate, and the base is attenuate. The margins are entire, and the veins are inconspicuous. The petiole is absent.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Spines/Thorns
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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
