Accession Count: 5
Common Name:
Canary Island spurge
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Botanical Name:
Euphorbia canariensis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Euphorbia canariensis is a succulent shrub with thick vertical stems that can grow to about 4m tall. Each stem is either quadrangular or pentagonal (4 or 5 sides) with large reddish-brown spines on each corner, resembling a cactus. This plant contains a milky white sap within its stems that is highly toxic (1,2,3,4,5). It produces small red-green flowers and bulbous red-brown fruits (1,2,3). Seeds are dispersed by explosive dehiscence (4).
Compound:
Eup can
Geographic Origin:
Canary Islands
Ecozone Origin:
Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This plant is native to the Canary Islands where it grows along rocky shores, sea cliffs, and mountain slopes. It has naturalized in other regions such as the western mediterranean and in California (2,4,5).
Cultivation Notes:
Always use gloves and eye protection when handling E. canariensis; the sap can cause severe skin and eye irritation (1,2,3,4,5). Propagated through stem cuttings and from seeds (2,4).
Ethnobotany:
This plant can be used as fencing to protect more palatable plants from browsing animals such as deer rabbits, and javelina (1,2,4,5).
Height:
11 - 15 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Red
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Low water Use
