Species Of Euphorbia

November 10, 2024 Post a Comment

Species of euphorbia

Some euphorbias do best in sun, others in shade, and many are drought tolerant. With 2,000 species to choose from, there's sure to be one for your garden—if you can plant it away from pets and small children and remember to avoid the milky sap.

What species is Euphorbia?

Euphorbia is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae. "Euphorbia" is sometimes used in ordinary English to collectively refer to all members of Euphorbiaceae (in deference to the type genus), not just to members of the genus. Griseb.

What is the most common Euphorbia?

The most well-known Euphorbia is the Poinsettia, which is a very popular plant for the Christmas holiday. You can find these potted plants at florists and garden centers in shades of bright red during the holiday season.

How do I identify a Euphorbia species?

Euphorbias are home to very specific-looking flowers called a cyathium. Species of other genera have cyathia flowers, but if a plant bleeds white sap and has cyathium, chances are, it's a Euphorbia plant. To identify a cyathium, check the head of the flower.

What is the most toxic Euphorbia?

Euphorbia tirucalli and certain other Euphorbia species contain a white latex that is among the most irritating plant substances described. Exposure to the sap can cause severe consequences in humans, most significantly following ocular contact, leading to blindness if left untreated.

Which Euphorbia is invasive?

Euphorbia esula can be found in scattered locations throughout northern California and crowding out native plant species. It can invade and dominate a variety of vegetation types, including prairies, grasslands and pine savannahs.

Is a Euphorbia a cactus or succulent?

Euphorbia Tirucalli These shrubby attractive plants are commonly known as Pencil cactus or Fire sticks succulent. They look attractive with tiny green leaves and have beautiful red, orange, or pink-colored stems. A native to South Africa, the Fire succulent grows up to 30 feet tall when grown outdoors as a landscape.

Is Euphorbia a cactus?

Technically, cacti have "modified leaves:" spines. Stems of cacti may also look like leaves. However, cacti---unlike euphorbias---lack leafy leaves. Incidentally, cacti are native to the Americas, and succulent euphorbias are from the Old World, mainly Africa.

How toxic is Euphorbia to dogs?

The pencil cactus, or Euphorbia tirucalli, is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats worldwide and can cause serious intestinal and skin injury, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

What will happen if you touch Euphorbia plants?

The milky latex or sap is toxic and may cause intense inflammation of the skin and the eye. [2] Ocular toxic reaction varies from mild conjunctivitis to severe kerato-uveitis. There are a few case reports of permanent blindness resulting from accidental inoculation of Euphorbia sap into the eye.

Does Euphorbia need sun or shade?

Euphorbias in general are sun lovers, though some will tolerate partial shade. Those with deep-purple or reddish foliage will have more-intense coloring if planted in full sun.

Which Euphorbia is best for sun?

Euphorbia hypericifolia Well-suited to summer containers in full sun.

What happens when you touch Euphorbia plant with bare hand?

If you get the sap on your hands, it can cause painful inflammation. Alys Fowler, horticulturist, says: “Euphorbia sap causes skin to become photosensitive: so, if you handle it with bare skin in the sun, it can cause blisters.” If you get sap on your skin, you should wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

Do euphorbias spread?

Some euphorbia species such as E. amygdaloides var. robbiae (wood spurge) and E. cyparissias (Cypress spurge) spread widely by rhizomes and may become invasive.

Is Euphorbia a shrub or perennial?

Euphorbia characias is a vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub that produces column-shaped heads of pale yellow bracts, over grey-green foliage.

What is the most toxic plant in the world?

Gardeners frequently employ the castor oil plant in their displays, however it contains the poison ricin, which can be fatal if consumed. The Guinness World Records consider it the world's most poisonous common plant.

What is the most poisonous plant in the world to humans?

The oleander, also known as laurel of flower or trinitaria, is a shrub plant (of Mediterranean origin and therefore, resistant to droughts) with intensely green leaves and whose leaves, flowers, stems, branches and seeds are all highly poisonous, hence it is also known as "the most poisonous plant in the world".

What are the dangers of Euphorbia?

Euphorbia, also known as spurges, is a genus of over 2000 different flowering plants. These plants contain a milky white sap that can be very irritating to the skin, eyes, and mouth. If someone is exposed to spurge sap, it is important to decontaminate the exposed area.

Should Euphorbia be cut back in the fall?

Cut whole plant back to the ground in autumn Herbaceous perennial types of euphorbia need deadheading after flowering. Then cut back the plant to the ground before the first frosts – it will reappear next year.

Where is the best place to plant a Euphorbia?

Euphorbias generally require a sunny position and fertile, well-drained soil. However, some varieties are shade tolerant and will thrive beneath trees and shrubs, as ground cover.