San Marcos Growers LogoSan Marcos Growers
New User
Wholesale Login
Enter Password
Home Products Purchase Gardens About Us Resources Contact Us
Nursery Closure
Search Utilities
Plant Database
Search Plant Name
Detail Search Avanced Search Go Button
Search by size, origins,
details, cultural needs
Website Search Search Website GO button
Search for any word
Site Map
Retail Locator
Plant Listings

PLANT TYPE
PLANT GEOGRAPHY
PLANT INDEX
ALL PLANT LIST
PLANT IMAGE INDEX
PLANT INTROS
SPECIALTY CROPS
NEW  2024 PLANTS

PRIME LIST
  for DECEMBER


Natives at San Marcos Growers
Succulents at San Marcos Growers
 Weather Station

 
Products > Plants - Browse Alphabetically > Euphorbia myrsinites
 
Euphorbia myrsinites - Myrtle Spurge
   
Image of Euphorbia myrsinites
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Succulent
Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurges)
Origin: Europe, Southeastern (Europe)
Flower Color: Yellow Green
Bloomtime: Winter/Spring
Height: <1 foot
Width: 1-2 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Deer Tolerant: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F
May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes
Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge) - An attractive low growing succulent evergreen perennial that grows to 6 inches tall with stout trailing 1 foot long stems that have clasping spirally-arranged nearly triangular blue-gray leaves. The stems, radiating from the center of the plant, rise up at the tips from which the terminally borne flowers emerge in late winter to early spring. The flowers and their subtending bracts are initially greenish-yellow but deepen to a red hue by summer. Plant in full sun. This hardy plant is tolerant of very cold winter temperatures (to as low as -20 °F), summer heat and little irrigation but requires well-draining soils. Trim out old stems as they yellow and though short lived in warm winter climates, it will often reseed. This has not been a problem in our mediterranean climate but this plant is listed as a noxious weed in many parts of the world and is so listed by the states of Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Be very cautious when trimming or handling this plant - as with many in this family the sap is toxic and has been reported to be an irritant to the skin and eyes but it also prevents browsing from rabbits, deer and gophers. It is an attractive rock garden setting, as a container plant or a small scale groundcover and looks great trailing over a wall. Myrtle Spurge is native from southeastern Europe east to central Asia and the specific epithet is in reference to Myrsine or 'mursinh', the Greek name for the Myrtle because the shape of the leaves of this plant somewhat resemble. Other common names include Creeping Spurge and Donkey Tail. 

The information about Euphorbia myrsinites displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.

 
  [MORE INFO]