Wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides, Sp. Pl.: 463 (1753))

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 463 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Euphorbia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Medit., Europe to C. Asia

Description

Wood spurge, or Euphorbia amygdaloides, is a remarkable plant endemic to a variety of regions, including the Mediterranean, Europe, and Central Asia. First documented in 1753, this species has captivated botanists and gardeners alike with its unique characteristics and versatility.

Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, wood spurge is a perennial evergreen noted for its vibrant foliage and intriguing inflorescence. The plant typically grows in woodlands, thriving in shaded or partially shaded areas, though it can tolerate some sunlight. Its robust nature allows it to adapt to different soil types, making it a resilient addition to gardens and natural landscapes.

Euphorbia amygdaloides features dark green, leathery leaves that provide a lush, ornamental appearance year-round. In the spring, one of its most striking attributes is unveiled: clusters of lime-green to yellowish-green flowers that create a distinctive contrast against the deep foliage. These flowers, actually complex structures known as cyathia, bring a burst of color and attract various pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity of the surrounding area.

Additionally, wood spurge serves ecological purposes beyond its aesthetic appeal. Its presence can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly in forested areas. The plant secretes a milky latex sap, characteristic of the Euphorbiaceae family, which can be a skin irritant but also serves to deter herbivores and plant pathogens.

Though it has been embraced by many for ornamental use, be mindful of its sap when handling the plant—wearing gloves is advisable to avoid skin irritation. With minimal care required, wood spurge is an excellent choice for those looking to add year-round interest and ecological support to their gardens.

Euphorbia amygdaloides stands as a testament to the fascinating diversity of the plant kingdom, offering both functional benefits and a striking visual presence.

Common Names

Deu: mandel-wolfsmilch, mandelblättrige wolfsmilch
Dan: mandel-vortemælk, skov-vortemælk
Nld: amandelwolfsmelk
Nob: dunvortemelk
Nno: dunvortemjølk
Fra: euphorbe des bois, euphorbe faux-amandier
Spa: lechetrezna de bosque
Swe: mandeltörel
Eng: wood spurge
Cym: fflamgoed gwigoedd, fflamgoed y coed, llaethlys y coed
En: Wood spurge
Ar: فربيون لوزي
Bg: Горска млечка
Ca: Lleteresa de bosc
Kw: Flammgos an ke
Cs: Pryšec mandloňovitý
Da: Mandel-vortemælk, Skov-vortemælk
Nl: Amandelwolfsmelk, Amandel-Wolfsmelk
Fi: Mantelityräkki
Fr: Euphorbe faux-amandier, Euphorbe des bois, Euphorbe à feuilles d’amandier, Herbe à la faux
De: Mandelblättrige Wolfsmilch, Mandel-Wolfsmilch, Wald-Wolfsmilch
Hu: Erdei kutyatej
Ga: Lus Oilealla
It: Euforbia delle Faggete
Nb: Dunvortemelk
Nn: Dunvortemjølk
Fa: فرفیون جنگلی
Pl: Wilczomlecz migdałolistny
Ru: Молочай миндалевидный
Sr: Šumska mlečika
Sk: Mliečnik mandľovitý, Mliečnik mandľolistý
Es: Lechetrezna de bosque, Lechetrezna, Mandljevolistni mleček, Titímalo macho, Lechetrezna del bosque
Sv: Mandeltörel
Uk: Молочай мигдалолистий
Cy: Llaethlys y coed, Fflamgoed Gwigoedd, Fflamgoed y Coed

Synonyms

• Tithymalus amygdaloides ((L.) Garsault)
• Characias amygdaloides ((L.) Gray)
• Esula amygdaloides ((L.) Haw.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Ireland (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 14, 2022 by isabelle dufresne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Iva T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Patrick Grouiller (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Antoine le Clercq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2019 by vegas maria (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 24, 2022 by Boris Debourg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Antoine le Clercq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by pierre cottereau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 2, 2020 by Francisco Sanchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2020 by Francisco Sanchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 6, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2020 by Albert V. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Jean-Marie Ferette (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Bollo Boi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (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/3065239)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:345568-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Euphorbia amygdaloides L.)

Specifications

Growth