Euphorbia helioscopia
sun spurge
Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia
Overview
Euphorbia helioscopia is an erect annual in the spurge family, growing 4-20 inches (10-50 cm) tall on a single, often-branched stem that exudes milky white latex when cut. The smooth, obovate leaves are 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) long, broadest and finely toothed toward the rounded tip, and arranged alternately up the stem. At the top, five leaf-like bracts spread beneath a flat-topped, umbel-like cluster that branches repeatedly. The flowers are reduced to small yellow-green cup-shaped structures called cyathia, each holding tiny male flowers and a single female flower, without true petals. The fruit is a smooth three-lobed capsule that splits to fling its seeds a short distance. Euphorbia helioscopia grows as a weed of cultivated ground, gardens, roadsides, and waste places across much of the world. The milky sap contains irritant compounds that are toxic to people and pets and can blister skin. Limitations include its weedy nature, copious self-seeding, and caustic sap.
Native Range
Euphorbia helioscopia is native to Europe, North Africa, and much of temperate Asia. It has spread as a weed to North and South America, Australia, and other temperate regions. It grows on disturbed, fertile ground such as arable fields, gardens, roadsides, and waste places.Suggested Uses
Euphorbia helioscopia is rarely cultivated and is generally treated as a weed of gardens and farmland. It has a history of folk medicinal use, and its seeds and foliage feed some seed-eating birds and insects in waste-ground habitats.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'8"
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
Euphorbia helioscopia flowers from late spring through autumn, roughly April to October, with cup-shaped cyathia opening over a long season. Flies, ants, and small wasps visit the exposed nectar glands. Seeds ripen quickly and are flung from the splitting capsules, so flowering and seeding overlap through the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs