Scientific Name:
Euphorbia amygdaloides
Pronunciation:
you-FOR-bee-uh uh-mig-duh-loe-EYE-deez
Common Name:
wood spurge, Mrs. Robb's bonnet, purple wood spurge
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Ground cover, Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Rounded mounds 30-60cm tall, toxic milky sap; leaves alternate, most oblanceolate, 5-8cm long x 1-3.5cm wide, glossy green to dark purple-red undersides; cyathia are lime-green bracts, arranged in a raceme or panicle-like inflorescence ~20cm long.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe (Mediterranean)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade, Deep shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Ground cover, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Spring interest, Woodland margin (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Google. Images shown or plants on campus may include E. a. ssp. robbiae (leaves broader, more greenish), and E. 'Purpurea' (leaves narrow, all purplish). Compare to sweet spurge.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Spiraled
Texture/Venation:
Succulent, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Purple, Red
Colour in Fall:
Purple, Dark-red
Shapes:
Oblanceolate, Oblong, Spatulate
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour
Inflorescence Type:
Cyathium, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Green-yellow
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Not showy, Mericarps (3) split open to release a single seed
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red, Brown
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts, Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Deadhead to control spread by seed
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mites, Nematodes (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1193/1293
Location(s):
- (GRB) GRass Bed : east
- (PDW) PonD West : cv. Purpurea
- (WLG) WoodLand Garden : confirm ID