# tree spurge (*Euphorbia dendroides*) Tree spurge is a unique plant that looks like a small tree! It has thick, green stems and bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring. This plant is special because it can grow in rocky places where other plants might struggle. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![tree spurge](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Euforbia_dendroides01.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euforbia_dendroides01.jpg) ## Appearance The tree spurge is a striking, rounded shrub that often resembles a small tree, boasting a dense crown. Its leaves are spirally arranged, turning vibrant yellow-green during its winter to spring bloom. After flowering, the plant can take on a distinctive umbrella-like shape. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malpighiales - **Family:** Euphorbiaceae - **Genus:** Euphorbia ## Interesting facts - Even though its sap is irritating, ancient doctors once used it in their remedies! - It loves sunny, rocky hillsides, growing like a mini tree by the sparkling sea! - Its bright yellow 'flowers' are actually colorful leaves called bracts, not true petals! - This clever plant can drop all its leaves to 'sleep' through super hot, dry summers! ## Special abilities - **Sap Shield:** Tree spurge has a milky, sticky sap that oozes out to defend against hungry nibblers, making them think twice. - **Sun Snooze:** It can drop all its leaves in summer to avoid drying out, saving water until cooler weather returns. - **Winter Bloom:** Tree spurge blooms in late winter, helping it grab sunshine and pollinators before other plants wake up. - **Rock Hugger:** Its strong roots help it cling to rocky slopes, finding tiny cracks for water where other plants can't grow. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-200 cm - **Spread:** 50-150 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late_winter-early_spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees collect nectar and pollen from its early spring flowers. - **Pollinates:** Marmalade Hoverfly (*Syrphus ribesii*) — Hoverflies visit the plant for nectar, aiding in pollen transfer. - **Shelter:** [Common Wall Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-wall-lizard) (*Podarcis muralis*) — Lizards often hide in its dense branches for cover and shade. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the sap, as it can irritate your skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify tree spurge? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is tree spurge? 50-200 cm ### How wide does tree spurge spread? 50-150 cm ### How big are the flowers on tree spurge? 0.5-1.5 cm ### When does tree spurge bloom? Late_winter-early_spring ### Is tree spurge edible? No ### Is tree spurge toxic? Moderate ### What is tree spurge's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park - [Otranto–Leuca Coast and Tricase Woodland Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/otrantoleuca-coast-and-tricase-woodland-regional-nature-park) — IT · Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Tree Spurge: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-spurge)