Euphorbia oblongata (Balkan spurge)

Botanical name

Euphorbia oblongata

Other names

Balkan spurge, Eggleaf spurge, Oblong spruge

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. oblongata - E. oblongata is an erect, short-lived, herbaceous perennial bearing large, oblong, grey-green leaves with prominent, paler midribs and branching, terminal clusters of bright yellow to yellow-green flowers from spring into autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

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

Bright-yellow, Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green, Bright-yellow in Summer; Yellow-green, Bright-yellow in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Specific pests

Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Cut flowered shoots to ground level in late summer or early autumn.

Propagation

Soak seed prior to sowing. Sow indoors in late winter or early spring or in-situ in mid-spring or late summer.

Propagation methods

Division, Basal cuttings, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia oblongata (Balkan spurge) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Gravel, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Architectural, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in light, well-drained soil in sun. If necessary, add grit or sharp sand to the soil to improve drainage. Dislikes winter wet, so a gravel mulch will help avoid rotting. Often treated as an annual.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia oblongata (Balkan 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 oblongata (Balkan 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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia oblongata (Balkan spurge)

Common pest name

Powdery mildew: cotton; Powdery mildew: eggplant; Powdery mildew: pepper; Powdery mildew: tomato

Scientific pest name

Leveillula taurica

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

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

3

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

3

General biosecurity comments

Believed to be present and no statutory action is being taken. Status needs to be confirmed by survey.

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/