Martin's spurge is a naturally occurring and accepted hybrid subshrub that is from southern France where it was discovered growing wild in the late 1800s. Its parents are the wood spurge, E . amygdaloides, and the Mediterranean spurge, Euphorbia characias subsp. characias. This species is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The hybrid name origin is unknown, but it is thought to refer to the person that first identified this plant. It is best grown in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It tolerates rocky, dry soil and drought conditions once established. Pinch or prune back to 6" in height in the mid-spring right after the plant flowers to promote a bushy habit. Always wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid the toxic milky sap.This plant can be propagated by cuttings, but It does not reseed. This plant is a dwarf evergreen and grows 1 to 2 feet tall and equally as wide. It has strikingly beautiful foliage that appears as rosettes of narrow dark grayish-green leaves that have a burgundy tint in the spring. The stems are slightly red and have white milky sap when cut or broken. The flowers are tiny and apetalous. They are surrounded by dense, chartreuse bracts that have a reddish-purple eye. They elongate and form dense clusters that measure 4 to 5 inches long. They are displayed in spring and into early summer. Martin's spurge is may be used in flower beds or borders or in a cottage or Mediterranean Garden. They may also be grown in a container and are easy to care for and resilient to most insect pests and diseases. Quick ID Hints : Chartreuse bracts subtend apetalous yellow flowers Bushy perennial herb to 3' with variable leaves Milky white latex sap Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. All parts of this plant are toxic, if ingested. The milky sap can cause eye or skin irritation. Wear protective gloves when handling this plant. Keep this plant out of reach of small children and pets. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Obovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage appears in rosettes of narrow dark, grayish-green leaves. The leaves are hint of burgundy in the spring. Their shape varies from linear-lanceolate to spatulate or obovate.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Actual flowers are insignificant, tiny, and have no petals. It has bracts that are chartreuse and cup-like with a reddish-purple center, and they elongate into 4 to 5 inch clusters. The blooms occur in the spring to early summer.
Bloom time
Spring
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The green stems have tint of red.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
France
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Colorful; Easy to Grow
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Small Space
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#border planting #rock garden #low maintenance #drought tolerant #bedding plants #bracts #colorful leaves #edging #groundcover #fantz #evergreen #sandy soils tolerant #rocky soils tolerant #dry soils tolerant #container plant #perennial #problem for children #problem for dogs #problem for cats #rabbit resistant #border #contact dermatitis #poisonous if ingested #spring flowers #cottage garden #deer resistant #small groups
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Dry Soil; Rabbits
Propagation
Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice; Stems
Poison symptoms
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting any plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.