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Southeastern Noseburn Tragia urens

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Tragia linearifolia
Phonetic Spelling
TRAY-gi-uh YUR-ens
Description

A member of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family, Wavyleaf noseburn is a perennial plant native to coastal locations of the eastern portions of the United States. It prefers dry sandy soil, its native habitat including sandhills, dry savannas, oak and hickory woodlands and edged woodlands, and openings in dry woodlands.  In North Carolina, it can be located in the Sandhills and the southern Coastal Plain.  

Typically reaching a height of under 1', this plant is quite inconspicuous.  Plants can have several ascending branches with a few leaves on each. The toothed leaves, however, have sharp points and hair-like growth that has a stinging feel when handled.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The short hair-like growth found on most parts of the plant are armed with stinging trichomes.   

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#NC native#hairy leaves#perennial#prickles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#NC native#hairy leaves#perennial#prickles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tragia
    Species:
    urens
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A. to TX
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA
    Play Value:
    Textural
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny blooms in racemes that form in the axils from April to June with small orange yellow flowers with 5 red spotted petals that bend backward.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Sinuate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate simple leaves with hairs margins entire, undulate or sinuate with a few distal teeth. They are sharp-pointed to the base, may be toothed or have a wavy margin. The upper sides of the leaves have a leathery look, while the undersides are glossy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Erect thin branched stems with soft pubesenct hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden