Scientific Name:
Euphorbia dulcis
Pronunciation:
you-FOR-bee-uh DULL-siss
Common Name:
sweet spurge
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Stems slender and pubescent, arising from thick rhizomes; leaves spiraled, most oblanceolate, 4-9cm long x 1-3cm wide; inflorescence bracts ovate with apices more pointy than in most other garden spurges, Apr-Jun.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate, Low
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Ground cover, Perennial border, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include E. 'Chameleon' (mounded; leaves/stems burgundy/purple, leaves more oblong with white midrib, on shorter internodes; flowers yellow-green cymes). Compare to the purple wood spurge.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Spiraled
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Spring - red tinted, mature - green with light yellow central mid-rib
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Orange, Red
Shapes:
Oblanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Green-yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, Mericarps (3) split open to release a single seed
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts, Rhizomes
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites, Nematodes (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (BUG) BUG garden : confirm ID
- (WLG) WoodLand Garden : cv. Chameleon