Family: Euphorbiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 461 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Euphorbia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to NW. Türkiye
Description
Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)
Cypress spurge, scientifically known as Euphorbia cyparissias, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. This plant, first described and classified by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, is widely recognized for its vibrant and unique appearance.
Native to Europe and extending its reach to Northwestern Türkiye, cypress spurge is noted for its feathery green foliage that closely resembles the needles of a cypress tree, a characteristic that significantly contributes to its common name. The leaves display a captivating blue-green hue, bringing a touch of elegance and vibrancy to their surroundings.
During the blooming period, Euphorbia cyparissias produces an array of small, yellow-green flowers. These blossoms are nestled within cup-like structures known as cyathia, which are distinctive to the Euphorbiaceae family. These floral arrangements not only contribute to the plant’s aesthetic appeal but also attract various pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem’s biodiversity.
Cypress spurge thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is highly adaptable and can be found flourishing in various environments ranging from meadows and grasslands to disturbed areas such as roadsides and embankments. However, this adaptability also leads to its reputation as an invasive species in some regions outside its native range, where it can outcompete local flora and alter habitats.
In garden settings, Euphorbia cyparissias is often valued for its low maintenance and ornamental qualities. Gardeners appreciate its drought tolerance and ability to form attractive ground cover, making it a favorite among those looking to add texture and color to their plantings.
However, it is important to note that, like many species in the Euphorbiaceae family, cypress spurge contains a milky latex that can be irritating to the skin and toxic if ingested. Proper care should be taken when handling this plant, and it is advisable to wear gloves to prevent any adverse reactions.
In summary, Euphorbia cyparissias, or cypress spurge, is a visually striking and adaptable plant that plays a significant role in its native habitats while posing a potential challenge in non-native areas. Its distinctive foliage and flowers, coupled with its resilience, make it an intriguing subject for both botanists and garden enthusiasts alike.
References
- “Species Plantarum,” 461 (1753) by Carl Linnaeus
Common Names
Dan: cypres-vortemælk
Eng: cypress spurge, graveyard spurge, cemetary spurge
Lit: siauralapė karpažolė
Deu: zypressen-wolfsmilch
Nld: cipreswolfsmelk
Lav: ciprešu dievkr, ciprešu dievkrēsliņš
Fra: euphorbe petit-cyprès, euphorbe cyprès, rhubarbe des pauvres
Est: küpress-piimalill
Nob: sypressvortemelk
Nno: sypressvortemjølk
Swe: tarhatyräkki, vårtörel
Fin: tarhatyräkki
Cym: fflamgoed gedrol, fflamgoed gyprysol, llaethlys cypreswydd
En: Cypress spurge, Bonaparte’s crown, Cemetary plant, Graveyard moss, Graveyard weed, Graveyard spurge, Cemetary spurge
Bg: Обикновена млечка
Ca: Lleteresa de fulla estreta
Zh: 欧洲柏大戟, 歐洲柏大戟
Cs: Pryšec chvojka
Da: Cypres-Vortemælk
Nl: Cipreswolfsmelk, Cypreswolfsmelk
Et: Küpress-piimalill
Fi: Tarhatyräkki, Kuusityräkki
Fr: “Euphorbe petit-cyprès, Euphorbe faux Cyprès”, Euphorbe petit cyprès, Euphorbe petit-cypres, Euphorbe petit-cyprès, Petit cyprès, Euphorbe cyprès, Rhubarbe des pauvres, Euphorbe faux cyprès
De: Zypressen-Wolfsmilch, Zypressenwolfsmilch
Hu: Farkas kutyatej
It: Euforbia cipressina, Erba cipressina
Lv: Ciprešu dievkr, Ciprešu dievkrēsliņš
Lt: Siauralapė karpažolė
Nb: Sypressvortemelk
Nn: Sypressvortemjølk
Pl: Wilczomlecz sosnka
Ro: Alior, Laptele câinelui
Ru: Молочай кипарисовый
Sk: Mliečnik chvojkový
Es: Cipresasti mleček, Esula menor, Euforbia ciprés, Euforbia, Lechetrezna, Mirabel lechero
Sv: Vårtörel, Tarhatyräkki
Zh-tw: 歐洲柏大戟
Zh-hant: 歐洲柏大戟
Uk: Молочай кипарисовидний, Молочай кипарисоподібний
Wa: Laecea-d’-coloûte
Cy: Llaethlys cypreswydd, Fflamgoed Gedrol, Fflamgoed Gyprysol
Synonyms
- Esula minor (Garsault)
- Tithymalus angustifolius (Gilib.)
- Tithymalus cinerea (Raf.)
- Tithymalus cyparissias ((L.) Hill)
- Galarhoeus cyparissias ((L.) Small ex Rydb.)
- Euphorbia tyraica (Klokov & Artemczuk)
- Keraselma cyparissias ((L.) Raf.)
- Esula cyparissias ((L.) Haw.)
- Esula cupressina (Gray)
- Euphorbia punctata (Krock.)
- Euphorbia cyparissias var. esuloides (DC.)
- Euphorbia cyparissias var. major (Boiss.)
- Euphorbia cyparissias var. degeneri (Gaudin)
- Tithymalus acicularis (Dulac)
- Euphorbia degenerata (D.Dietr.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Corse (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Manitoba (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- Sardegna (introduced)
- Saskatchewan (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Feb 25, 2018 by Claude Viquesnel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2017 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Christoph Stoll (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Benjamin (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 19, 2020 by littleprince (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Benjamin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 9, 2021 by Matt P. Walser (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2021 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 11, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2013 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2017 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 24, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2017 by Laurent Ledante (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3070106)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:346205-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Euphorbia cyparissias L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 3