Euphorbia resinifera
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Euphorbia resinifera becomes a dense suckering succulent shrub. The stems are a light-green to gray-blue color, almost square, and covered with small brown spines arranged in cymes. It has been in cultivation in California for many years. The plant flowers in summer with small yellow blooms, the stems of which dry and become spine-like.
Euphorbia resinifera makes a nice low ground cover succulent where it is hardy, and can be propagated by cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. As with most succulent and cacti cuttings, the wound needs to have time to dry and callus over; then plant the cutting in loose, well draining cactus soil and give it time to root. It can also be propagated by seed sown indoors in early spring.
Its repeated regular, rectangular stems of even low height create a strong pattern in the landscape making it a fine choice for cactus, succulent and xeriscape gardens. It also makes a nice container plant.
This succulent has small spines and caustic sap so it is best located away from foot traffic. The sap of Euphorbia resinifera contains a high concentration of the toxin resinifera toxin which is being used as a starting point in the development of a novel class of analgesics. Recent research has shown that this toxin exhibits its effects in a similar fashion to capsaicin, the primary compound found in hot peppers. It is up to one thousand times stronger than pure capsaicin. So all parts of plant are poisonous if ingested and handling the plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Euphorbia resinifera is impervious to deer and rodents.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Euphorbia officinarum
Common Names: Moroccan Mound, Official Spurge, Resin Spurge, Poisonous Gum-Thistle, Dergmuse, Darkmous, Euphorbium Bush, Gun Euphorbium
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin: This plant comes from the Canary Islands and the slopes of the Atlas mountains in Morocco.
Size Label: One gallon
Height: 1-2′
Width: 3-4′
Cold Tolerance: 20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C
Heat Tolerance: Extreme heat tolerance
Light Requirement: Full sun
Water needs: Very drought tolerant.
Maintenance: None
Uses: This plant makes a nice low ground cover succulent where it is hardy. Its repeated regular, rectangular stems of even low height create a strong pattern in the landscape making it a fine choice for cactus, succulent and xeriscape gardens. It also makes a nice container plant. Euphorbia resinifera has small spines and caustic sap so it is best located away from foot traffic. Impervious to deer and rodents.
Propagation: Propagated by cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. As with most succulent and cacti cuttings the wound needs to have time to dry and callus over; then plant the cutting in loose, well draining cactus soil and give it time to root. Can also be propagated by seed sown indoors in early spring.
Problems: Needs good drainage
Research Links:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/62524/
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3414
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/EUPHORBIA/Euphorbia_resinifera/Euphorbia_resinifera/Euphorbia_resinifera.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_resinifera
https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/spurge84.html
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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