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Perennials > Euphorbia > Euphorbia characias > Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

Euphorbia characias

ssp. wulfenii


Mediterranean Spurge




Origin:  Native to the Mediterranean (southern Europe, the Balkans and European Turkey). Genus named after Euphorbus, the Greek physician (1st century A.D.).
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Species
characias
Category
Perennials
Subspecies
wulfenii
Synonyms
Euphorbia wulfenii
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 8
Canadian Hardiness Zone
5a - 8a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H4 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-23 - (-7)
Temperature (°F)
-10 - 20
Height
1 - 1.5 m
Spread
1 - 1.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MayJune
General Description
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii is an upright evergreen sub-shrub with narrow, grey-green leaves and heads of yellow-green flowers.
Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered location, in full sun to part shade and light, well-drained soil. In late summer or autumn prune flowering shoots to the ground. Gloves should be worn when handling this plant as the sap is toxic.
ID Characteristic
Sparsely-branched.
Pests
Susceptible to aphids. No serious diseases of note.
Leaf Description
Narrow, linear to obovate, up to 13 cm in length, grey-green, arranged spirally along stems.
Flower Description
No petals, bracts are yellow-green, glands purple, arranged in large, rounded clusters.
Notable Specimens
RHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England.
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The entire plant is highly toxic if ingested. Stems contain a highly poisonous, milky white sap that will irritate the skin.
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