Euphorbia griffithii (Griffith's spurge)

Botanical name

Euphorbia griffithii

Other names

Griffith's spurge

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. griffithii - E. griffithii is a vigorous, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with erect, red-flushed stems bearing linear to lance-shaped, red-flushed, dark green leaves. Cymes of tiny, yellow flowers surrounded by prominent orange or orange-red bracts bloom in early summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect, Spreading

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.

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Colour

Flower

Orange-red in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green, Flushed red in Spring; Dark-green, Flushed red in Summer; Flushed red, Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Specific diseases

Rust

General care

Pruning

Deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings. Cut back flowering shoots to the base in late summer or autumn.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia griffithii (Griffith's spurge) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Flower Arranging, Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Banks and Slopes, Low Maintenance, Underplanting

Cultivation

Plant in humus-rich, moist soil in light shade. Site carefully as may become invasive, particularly in light soil.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia griffithii (Griffith's spurge)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Euphorbia griffithii (Griffith's spurge)

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia griffithii (Griffith's spurge)

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/