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*Euphorbia cyparissias Linnaeus. Subgenus: Esula. Section: Esula. Common name: Cypress Spurge, Graveyard Spurge. Phenology: Mar-May (occasionally later). Habitat: Roadbanks, graveyards, waste places. Distribution: Native of Europe.

Origin/Endemic status: Europe

Other Comments: Rarely producing seeds, so a relatively "well-behaved weed", tending to spread only vegetatively from plantings.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA12, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Govaerts, Frodin, & Radcliffe-Smith (2000); = Galarhoeus cyparissias (L.) Small ex Rydb. — S; = Tithymalus cyparissias (L.) Lam. Basionym: Euphorbia cyparissias L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Euphorbia cyparissias - FNA12

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Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Densely tufted, colonial perennial found on road banks and in graveyards and other disturbed sites. Native of Europe.

Stems: Stems multiple from a creeping, horizontal rootstock; branched and smooth, with milky sap.

Leaves: Leaves crowded, alternate (opposite within inflorescence), sessile, often angled downward, narrowly linear or even needle-like, 3-12 in. long, pale green and smooth, exuding milky sap when broken.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in terminal, flat-topped, umbel-like cluster; yellowish-green; tiny; inserted above 2 lime-yellow oval, saucer-like bracts that turn red with age.

Fruits: Fruit a round, 3-lobed capsule with granular surface.

Comments:

Height: 6-12 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Densely tufted, colonial perennial found on road banks and in graveyards and other disturbed sites. Native of Europe.

stems: Stems multiple from a creeping, horizontal rootstock; branched and smooth, with milky sap.

leaves: Leaves crowded, alternate (opposite within inflorescence), sessile, often angled downward, narrowly linear or even needle-like, 3-12 in. long, pale green and smooth, exuding milky sap when broken.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in terminal, flat-topped, umbel-like cluster; yellowish-green; tiny; inserted above 2 lime-yellow oval, saucer-like bracts that turn red with age.

fruits: Fruit a round, 3-lobed capsule with granular surface.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: Europe & Asia



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