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Perennials, Tropicals > Euphorbia > Euphorbia mellifera > Euphorbia mellifera

Euphorbia mellifera


Canary Spurge, Honey-scented Spurge




Origin:  Macaronesia, endemic to the islands of Maderia, La Palma, La Gomera and Tenerife. It is found to be in steep decline in its natural habitat due to land clearing, however it is popular as a cultivated garden plant.
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Species
mellifera
Category
Perennials, Tropicals
Type
Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
9a - 9b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
9a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H3
Temperature (°C)
-5 to 1
Temperature (°F)
23 - 34
Height
15 m in the wild, 1-1.8 m in cultivation
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MarchAprilMay
General Description
A dome-shaped evergreen shrub to small tree in the wild with narrow, bright green leaves with a pale mid-vein, and honey-scented, brownish flower-heads in March in its native habitat to late spring in cultivation.
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, light soil in full sun in mild areas or in cold areas grow in a container and overwinter indoors (frost-free).
Growth
Fast
Pests
Generally pest and disease free.
Habitat
Found growing in laurel forests.
Leaf Description
The leaf lanceolate leaf blade is dark green and 75-100 mm in length and 12-26 mm in width. The pronounced midrib at the petiole is 1.0-2.5 mm wide while in the middle of the leaf it is 0.5-1.3 mm.
Flower Description
The synoflorescence is held of a 40-130 mm stem and is 90-220 mm in length and 100-130 mm in width although in some instances up to 190 mm wide. In its native habitat it flowers in March.
Notable Specimens
Glendurgan Garden, National Trust, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall, England. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Chelsea Physic Garden, London, United Kingdom.
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer; dip cut surfaces in charcoal or lukewarm water to prevent bleeding.
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