Flaigg, Norman G.
Euphorbia corollata L.
Flowering spurge
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
One or more bright green stems grow erect to 3 ft. A whorl of smooth, bright green leaves surrounds the
stem at the point where 3-7 flowering stalks branch off. Minute flowers surrounded by 5 white, round, petal-like bracts attached to rim of a cup, all in a few- to much-branched, open cluster atop each stem;
sap milky. Each flowering stalk branches again above another whorl of smaller leaves. Flowering stalks are topped by small, white flowers in a large, loose, long-lasting, flat-topped clusters.
The often colored, petal-like bracts are typical of some spurges, as are the stems with milky juice; the flower-like cup-structure (cyathium) is a distinguishing feature of spurges. The common name spurge comes from the Latin expurgare (to purge). Snow-on-the-mountain (
E. marginata),
native to the Midwest, has upper leaves with white edges.
Image Gallery:
9 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON Native Distribution: NY to s.e. MN & s.e. SD, s. to FL, TX, w. OK & e. KS
Native Habitat: Rocky prairies; open woodlands; fields; roadsides; waste places
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry to mesic soils.
Conditions Comments: The milky juice in the
stem can cause blisters on sensitive skin.
Benefit
Warning: Flowering Spurge has been used as a laxative, but large doses can be poisonous. Members of this
genus are known to fatally poison cattle. Contact with plant, especially its milky
sap, can cause irritation of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Minor skin irritatation if touched, low toxicity if ingested. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when ingested. Redness, swelling, blisters after some delay following contact with skin. Toxic Principle: Diterpene esters in milky latex. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
2012-12-07
