Scientific Name:
Euphorbia epithymoides
Pronunciation:
you-FOR-bee-uh ee-pith-ih-MOY-deez
Common Name:
golden spurge, cushion spurge
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Small plant with multiple upright stems with toxic milky sap; leaves alternate (may appear whorled), lanceolate-oblong, most 3-5cm long x 1-2cm wide, produce shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn; flowers with electric yellow bracts bloom on a low cushion in Apr-May, gradually fade as stems elongate to form a 40cm tall mound by midsummer.
Habit:
Dense, Upright
Form:
Oval - horizontal, Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Perennial border, Rock garden, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Orange, Purple, Red
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Oblong
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Obtuse, Truncate
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Cyathium, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow, Green-yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
Mericarps (3) split open to release a single seed
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings, Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Blight or needle cast, Mealybugs, Mites (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
