Euphorbia x martini (Martin's spurge)

Botanical name

Euphorbia x martini

Other names

Martin's spurge, Euphorbia x martinii, Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae x characias, Euphorbia characias x robbiae

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. x martini - E. x martini is a upright, clump-forming, evergreen sub-shrub with red-flushed stems bearing lance-shaped, dark grey-green leaves, often flushed purple when young, and, from spring to midsummer, cymes of tiny purple flowers surrounded by prominent, yellow-green bracts.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

Toxicity

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

Colour

Flower

Purple, Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green, Purple in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Cut spent flower shoots to the ground in late summer or autumn.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Euphorbia x martini (Martin's spurge) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, City, Beds and borders, Mediterranean

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained, light soil in full sun. Prefers mild areas.

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia x martini (Martin'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 x martini (Martin's 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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia x martini (Martin's 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/