Euphorbia lathyris
Caper spurge, Gopher spurge, Mole plant, Gopher plant
Euphorbia Euphorbia
E. lathyris - E. lathyris is a tall plant with upright unbranched stems which carry four rows of rigidly arranged leaves and insignificant yellow flowers in mid-summer. It is a weed that is often used as an ornamental plant.
Euphorbia lathyris is: Evergreen
Spreading
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.
Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer
Dark-green in All seasons
Aphids Aphids
Grey mould Grey mould
Division
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Euphorbia lathyris (Caper spurge) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Architectural, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Woodland
This plant will tolerate moist soils and is happy in sun or shade. It can be very invasive, considered by many to be a weed, spreading by rhizomes and seed.
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Euphorbia lathyris
Caper spurge, Gopher spurge, Mole plant, Gopher plant
Euphorbia Euphorbia
E. lathyris - E. lathyris is a tall plant with upright unbranched stems which carry four rows of rigidly arranged leaves and insignificant yellow flowers in mid-summer. It is a weed that is often used as an ornamental plant.
Evergreen
Spreading
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.
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Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer
Dark-green in All seasons
Division
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Euphorbia lathyris (Caper spurge) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Architectural, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Woodland
This plant will tolerate moist soils and is happy in sun or shade. It can be very invasive, considered by many to be a weed, spreading by rhizomes and seed.
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
Euphorbia lathyris (Caper spurge)
grape ground pearl
Margarodes vitis
Insect
Absent
2
5
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
Euphorbia lathyris (Caper spurge)
Powdery mildew: cotton; Powdery mildew: eggplant; Powdery mildew: pepper; Powdery mildew: tomato
Leveillula taurica
Fungus
Present (Limited)
3
3
Believed to be present and no statutory action is being taken. Status needs to be confirmed by survey.
Euphorbia lathyris (Caper spurge)
cotton mealybug
Phenacoccus solenopsis
Insect
Absent
3
3
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.
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
This plant likes... | Garden match | |
Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Euphorbia lathyris - mole plant
Someone gave me one from their garden. I instinctively felt unenthusiastic about it. An irrational dislike for the poor old green thing. I don't usually have this reaction so not sure what's going on. The more I read about it, that it's poisonous, self-se
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