Sweet spurge (Euphorbia dulcis, Sp. Pl.: 457 (1753))

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 457 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Euphorbia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

Sweet spurge, known scientifically as Euphorbia dulcis, is an intriguing and attractive herbaceous perennial that is part of the Euphorbiaceae family. First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the plant has since become a subject of interest among horticulturists and botanists alike.

Native to various regions of Europe, Sweet spurge thrives in a range of habitats, from open woodlands to grasslands and meadows. These versatile plants are known for their distinctive and ornamental foliage, which typically presents a rich, dark-green hue that may take on reddish or purplish tints. This coloration can add a striking visual interest to gardens and natural landscapes.

Euphorbia dulcis is commendable not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its resiliency. The plant’s growth habit is relatively low-maintenance, making it well-suited to both novice and experienced gardeners. It typically prefers light, well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade to full sun, showcasing its ability to adapt to various environmental conditions.

One of the defining characteristics of Sweet spurge is its unique inflorescence. The plant produces clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers enveloped by vibrant, cup-shaped bracts. These bracts can vary in color, often appearing in shades of yellow, green, or even red, and they serve as an attractive feature during the blooming season. This characteristic has made Euphorbia dulcis a popular choice for adding texture and color to garden borders, rockeries, and container gardens.

It is important to note that, like other members of the Euphorbia genus, Sweet spurge contains a milky latex sap. This sap can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so caution is advised when handling the plant. Wearing gloves and protective eyewear is recommended to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

Beyond its ornamental uses, Sweet spurge holds ecological significance as well. It can play a role in supporting local biodiversity by providing habitat and food sources for various pollinators and insects, contributing to the overall health of its ecosystem.

Overall, Euphorbia dulcis embodies a blend of beauty and hardiness, making it a treasured addition to both natural and cultivated landscapes. With its striking appearance and adaptable nature, Sweet spurge continues to captivate plant enthusiasts and nature lovers across Europe and beyond.

Common Names

Dan: knold-vortemælk
Eng: sweet spurge
Deu: süße wolfsmilch
Fin: metsätyräkki
Swe: metsätyräkki, söttörel, knöltörel
Nob: søtvortemelk
Nno: søtvortemjølk
Cym: llaethlys melys, llaethlys pêr
En: Sweet spurge
Ar: حلبلوب كثيف, فربيون كثيف
Bg: Сладка млечка
Ca: Lleteresa dolça
Zh: 甘大戟
Cs: Pryšec sladký
Da: Knold-vortemælk
Nl: Zoete wolfsmelk
Fi: Metsätyräkki
Fr: Euphorbe douce
De: Süße Wolfsmilch
It: Euforbia bitorzoluta
Nb: Søtvortemelk
Nn: Søtvortemjølk
Pl: Wilczomlecz słodki
Ru: Молочай сладкий
Sk: Mliečnik sladký
Es: Euforbia dulce, Lechitierna dulce, Nabos de hechicera
Sv: Söttörel, Metsätyräkki, Knöltörel
Cy: Llaethlys pêr, Llaethlys Melys

Synonyms

• Euphorbia purpurata (Thuill.)
• Euphorbia cordata (Schrank)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. viridiflora ((Waldst. & Kit.) Nyman)
• Tithymalus deseglisei ((Boreau ex Boiss.) Soják)
• Euphorbia angulata subsp. deseglisei ((Boreau ex Boiss.) Nyman)
• Pythius dulcis ((L.) Raf.)
• Euphorbia solisequa (Rchb.)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. alpigena ((A.Kern.) Nyman)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. lanuginosa (Peterm.)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. incompta ((Ces.) Nyman)
• Euphorbia dulcis f. lanuginosa (Oudejans)
• Tithymalus dulcis subsp. incomptus ((Ces.) Soják)
• Tithymalus dulcis subsp. purpuratus ((Thuill.) Holub)
• Tithymalus dulcis subsp. ellipticus ((Pers.) Soják)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. lasiocarpa (Neilr.)
• Tithymalus dulcis ((L.) Scop.)
• Euphorbia deseglisei (Boreau ex Boiss.)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. deseglisei ((Boreau ex Boiss.) P.Fourn.)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. laevis (Merino)
• Euphorbia patens (Kit.)
• Euphorbia incompta (Ces.)
• Euphorbia dulcis var. chloradenia (Boiss.)
• Euphorbia dulcis subsp. purpurata ((Thuill.) Rothm.)
• Euphorbia dulcis subsp. incompta ((Ces.) Nyman)
• Euphorbia dulcis f. longeradiata (Bolzon)
• Euphorbia viridiflora (Waldst. & Kit.)
• Galarhoeus dulcis ((L.) Haw.)
• Tithymalus alpigena ((A.Kern.) Woerl.)
• Euphorbia purpurata var. elliptica (Pers.)
• Euphorbia alpigena (A.Kern.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 3, 2022 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2022 by Mika (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by thomas Arricastres (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Kevin Jouannaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Bernadett Nemeth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jacques MARÉCHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 12, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (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/3069475)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:346333-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Euphorbia dulcis L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5