Martin's Spurge Euphorbia x martini
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia x cornubiensis
- Euphorbia x malahidensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh mar-TIN-ee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Martins' spurge is a subshrub native to France and discovered in the late 1800s. It is a natural hybrid between the Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias) and wood spurge (E. amygdaloides ssp. amygdaloides). Grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. It tolerates rocky, dry soil and drought conditions once established. Pinch or prune back to 6" in height in the mid-spring right after the plant flowers to promote a bushy habit. Always wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid the toxic milky sap.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Chartreuse bracts subtend apetalous yellow flowers
- Bushy perennial herb to 3' with variable leaves
- Milky white latex sap
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 landscapes:
- Pitt County Arboretum Containers Pollinator and Culinary Garden Asian Garden - Zen Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
Variegated leaves green, yellow - reds and oranges in fall. - 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BUSH
Compact and bushy, resists powdery mildew - 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
Smaller plant 12" tall smaller leaves
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401, 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BUSH, 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
Variegated leaves green, yellow - reds and oranges in fall. - 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BUSH
Compact and bushy, resists powdery mildew - 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
Smaller plant 12" tall smaller leaves
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401, 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BUSH, 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- France
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Actual flowers are insignificant tiny with no petals. It has bracts that form flower-like cups with red centers which appear in the spring April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow leaves with various colors depending on the cultivar. Arranged spirally, shape varies linear-lanceolate to spatulate or obovate.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
-
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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:
- Sap/Juice
