Euphorbia larica Seeds | Spurge
LATIN NAME: Euphorbia larica
COMMON NAME: Spurge
Plant Profile
Euphorbia larica, better known as Spurge, is a shrub in the spurge family, native to arabian peninsula and southern iran. It likes sun, and light, sandy, well-drained soil. Its open flowers are a reliable stop for bees and other pollinating visitors. Add these qualities together and you have a species well worth a place in the garden.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the spurge family, Euphorbia larica draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. In spurge family, euphorbias have a long, sculptural record in studies of dry-climate succulents, and larica species appears in research on latex chemistry and desert growth. Its behaviour in gardens is well recorded, thanks to a long history in cultivation.
Uses & Benefits
Spurge works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. In dry, sunny garden, spurge milk stems and greens the stones. It grows in light, well-drained, sunny ground. Green stems take off in the heat. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Spurges are superb drought ornamentals with a serious caution: their milky latex is irritant and toxic, the reason ingenol from the genus inspired an approved prescription gel for sun-damaged skin. Handle with gloves and never ingest.
Growing from Seed
Spurge grows readily from seed. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. The seed responds well to a cool, moist stratification period, which helps it break dormancy evenly. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Given the right start, Spurge is a long-term garden companion. It grows as a shrub, so its place in the garden is easy to plan. The seed responds well to a spell of cold stratification, a small step that pays off.
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