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(Euphorbia dulcis)
Sweet Spurge (Euphorbia dulcis)
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Carminda Santos
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Carminda Santos
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Carminda Santos | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Carminda Santos | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-04-22T17:17:02-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Euphorbia dulcis, commonly known as Sweet Spurge, is a perennial herb that can be deciduous or semi-deciduous, depending on the climate. It is native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and scrub areas in Southern Europe. Sweet Spurge typically grows to a height and width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters), featuring a bushy habit with multiple stems emerging from the base. The plant is characterized by its small, greenish-yellow flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they are interesting upon close inspection, and the foliage can provide a pleasing texture in the garden.
Sweet Spurge is valued for its adaptability and the charming, inconspicuous flowers that attract pollinators. It is often used in border plantings, woodland gardens, and as ground cover due to its spreading nature. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. While generally pest-free, Euphorbia dulcis can be susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions. Additionally, all parts of the plant contain a milky sap that can be irritating to the skin and toxic if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sweet Spurge is valued for its adaptability and the charming, inconspicuous flowers that attract pollinators. It is often used in border plantings, woodland gardens, and as ground cover due to its spreading nature. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. While generally pest-free, Euphorbia dulcis can be susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions. Additionally, all parts of the plant contain a milky sap that can be irritating to the skin and toxic if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and scrub areas in Southern Europe
Other Names
Common Names: Knold-Vortemælk, Süße Wolfsmilch, Metsätyräkki, Søtvortemelk, Søtvortemjølk, Söttörel, Knöltörel
Scientific Names: , Euphorbia dulcis, Euphorbia dulcis subsp. incompta, Euphorbia dulcis subsp. purpurata, Tithymalus dulcis, Euphorbia deseglisei, Euphorbia purpurata, Euphorbia dulcis var. purpurata, Euphorbia patens, Euphorbia alpigena
GBIF Accepted Name: Euphorbia dulcis L.