Sullu Spurge 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
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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.
- 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
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Pakistan to South China and Taiwan
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Dense
- Erect
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- 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 Description:
- 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 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.
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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:
- Houseplants
- 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
