Hairy Spurge
ExplorePlants
Hairy Spurge
Euphorbia illirica
Hairy Spurge is a unique plant with fuzzy leaves and bright yellow flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in gardens and fields. Its special look makes it stand out among other plants!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Hairy Spurge has oval to oblong leaves with a distinctive grayish-green hue, heavily covered in soft, white hairs, making it look fuzzy. Its reddish stems bear tiny, greenish-yellow, cup-like cyathia that appear in clusters, unlike typical petals.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyEuphorbiaceaeGenusEuphorbia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, the 'flowers' are actually tiny cup-like structures, not true petals!
Hairy Spurge is a cousin to the colorful Poinsettia, both belong to the Euphorbia family!
Its milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, acting like a tiny chemical defense!
Some people plant certain spurges in gardens, thinking they might scare away moles!
Special abilities
Ability
Sticky Defense
Hairy Spurge can produce a milky sap that deters hungry herbivores and helps repair stem wounds.
Ability
Water Saver
Hairy Spurge has dense hairs on its leaves that reduce water loss and protect it from intense sun.
Ability
Seed Slinger
Hairy Spurge can forcefully eject its seeds, launching them away for wider dispersal.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-50 cm
- Spread
- 15-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from its tiny flowers.
eats
Oleander Aphid
Aphis nerii
Feeds on the plant's sap, potentially weakening it.
eats
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
May browse on its leaves, despite the irritating milky sap.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch the sap of the plant, as it can irritate your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Hairy Spurge?
10-50 cm
How wide does Hairy Spurge spread?
15-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Hairy Spurge?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Hairy Spurge bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Hairy Spurge edible?
No
Is Hairy Spurge toxic?
Moderate
What is Hairy Spurge's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Hairy Spurge pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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