Wikimedia Commons
Euphorbiaceae
Mediterranean Spurge
Euphorbia characias
resilience and dramatic flair.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
- Native to
- Mediterranean region, Portugal, Turkey
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- evergreen perennial
- Height
- 60-120 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 7-10
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The large cylindrical flower heads can contain over 100 individual cyathia, each a miniature cup-shaped structure unique to euphorbias.
- It is extremely drought-tolerant once established and thrives in the poorest, rockiest soils.
- The milky sap was historically used as a fish poison in Mediterranean countries.
- Its subspecies wulfenii is the most commonly grown garden form, with larger flower heads and blue-green foliage.
- Mediterranean spurge is deer-resistant and rabbit-proof thanks to its toxic and irritating latex sap.
Color meanings
0
resilience
1
drama
2
self-sufficiency
3
boldness