Euphorbia x martinii
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
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Martin's spurge is a naturally occurring and accepted hybrid subshrub that is from southern France where it was discovered growing wild in the late 1800s. Its parents are the wood spurge, E. amygdaloides, and the Mediterranean spurge, Euphorbia characias subsp. characias. This species is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The hybrid name origin is unknown, but it is thought to refer to the person that first identified this plant.
It is best grown in full sun to partial shade and 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.This plant can be propagated by cuttings, but It does not reseed.
This plant is a dwarf evergreen and grows 1 to 2 feet tall and equally as wide. It has strikingly beautiful foliage that appears as rosettes of narrow dark grayish-green leaves that have a burgundy tint in the spring. The stems are slightly red and have white milky sap when cut or broken. The flowers are tiny and apetalous. They are surrounded by dense, chartreuse bracts that have a reddish-purple eye. They elongate and form dense clusters that measure 4 to 5 inches long. They are displayed in spring and into early summer.
Martin's spurge is may be used in flower beds or borders or in a cottage or Mediterranean Garden. They may also be grown in a container and are easy to care for and resilient to most insect pests and diseases.
Quick ID Hints:
- Chartreuse bracts subtend apetalous yellow flowers
- Bushy perennial herb to 3' with variable leaves
- Milky white latex sap
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
All parts of this plant are toxic, if ingested. The milky sap can cause eye or skin irritation. Wear protective gloves when handling this plant. Keep this plant out of reach of small children and pets.
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
up to 3 feet tall, variegated leaves of green and yellow that become red and orange in the fall, variegated bracts - 'Cherokee'
up to 15 inches tall, dark purple stems and leaves, leaves change to purplish-green in hot summer, dark purple blooms - 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BLUSH
compact, bushy, mounding, up to 8 to 12 inches tall, variegated foliage, red stems, yellow blooms, powdery mildew resistant - 'Waleuphrud' PP 17257 (Rudolph's Red Nosed Spurge)
up to 2 feet tall, bluish-green foliage, but during the winter the new foliage is red - 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
dwarf, mounding, up to 12 inches tall, smaller leaves and inflorescences, yellow-green bracts with red eye, pink bracts in fall
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401, 'Cherokee', 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BLUSH, 'Waleuphrud' PP 17257 (Rudolph's Red Nosed Spurge), 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
up to 3 feet tall, variegated leaves of green and yellow that become red and orange in the fall, variegated bracts - 'Cherokee'
up to 15 inches tall, dark purple stems and leaves, leaves change to purplish-green in hot summer, dark purple blooms - 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BLUSH
compact, bushy, mounding, up to 8 to 12 inches tall, variegated foliage, red stems, yellow blooms, powdery mildew resistant - 'Waleuphrud' PP 17257 (Rudolph's Red Nosed Spurge)
up to 2 feet tall, bluish-green foliage, but during the winter the new foliage is red - 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
dwarf, mounding, up to 12 inches tall, smaller leaves and inflorescences, yellow-green bracts with red eye, pink bracts in fall
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401
- 'Ascot Rainbow' PP21401, 'Cherokee', 'Inneuphhel' HELENA'S BLUSH, 'Waleuphrud' PP 17257 (Rudolph's Red Nosed Spurge), 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- x martinii
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- France
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- 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
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- 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, and have no petals. It has bracts that are chartreuse and cup-like with a reddish-purple center, and they elongate into 4 to 5 inch clusters. The blooms occur in the spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The foliage appears in rosettes of narrow dark, grayish-green leaves. The leaves are hint of burgundy in the spring. Their shape varies from linear-lanceolate to spatulate or obovate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The green stems have tint of red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- 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 any plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
