Euphorbia macroclada (Turkish spurge)

Botanical name

Euphorbia macroclada

Other names

Turkish spurge

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. macroclada - E. macroclada is an erect, evergreen sub-shrub with widely-spaced, linear to narrowly lance-shaped, dark blue-green leaves and, from mid-spring to late summer, cymes of tiny, yellow flowers surrounded by large, yellow-green bracts.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

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

Yellow-green, Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Blue-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

Specific diseases

Grey mould

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.

Propagation

Self-seeds readily in ideal growing conditions.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia macroclada (Turkish spurge) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Gravel, Flower Arranging, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, sharply-drained soil in full sun. Does not easily tolerate other growing conditions. Usually loses most stem leaves toward the end of its life. Suitable for use in hot, dry gardens.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia macroclada (Turkish 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 macroclada (Turkish 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 macroclada (Turkish spurge)

Common pest name

Banded-winged whitefly

Scientific pest name

Trialeurodes abutiloneus

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

Polyphagous whitefly native to the Americas with the potential to introduce harmful viruses to the UK. EU regulation should be considered and further assessed by EPPO.

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/