Species

Euphorbia myrsinites

Etymology

Euphorbia: after Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC. Juba named a cactus to honour Euphorbus and later Linnaeus named the entire genus after the physician.

Common Name(s)

donkey-tail spurge, myrtle spurge, blue spurge

Authority

Euphorbia myrsinites L.

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Brief Description

An evergreen perennial with sprawling stems 20–40 cm long. Dense, spirally arranged leaves are fleshy, pale glaucous (blue-green), 1–2 cm long.

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Flower Colours

Green

Year Naturalised

2008

Origin

From Italy eastwards to the Balkans, Crimea and Turkey

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental

Tolerances

Drought

This page last updated on 10 Mar 2018