An extremely diverse-looking genus of mostly tropical and subtropical succulent plants. For Euphorbus, corpulent Greek physician of Juba II, King of Mauretania. Literally, “euphorbia” means “well-fed”
Species
cyparissias
Derivded from Greek kuparisso, “spurge;” spurge in turn means “to purge,” for which some species were sometimes used
I think of Euphorbias as being plants, often cactus-like in appearance, from tropical
and subtropical climes. But there are many members of this genus, like cypress spurge, that are
at home in temperate climates. This plant was introduced as an ornamental to North America from
Europe, and it is now naturalized throughout much of North America. In many areas it is considered
an invasive.
Identification: Plants are 4-31″ (10-80 cm) in height.
They are topped by a ball or dome of "flowers" (really bracts, or specialized leaves). New flowers
are greenish yellow or yellow, becoming purple or red as they age. Leaves are small and very narrow,
needlelike,
¾-1½″ (2-4 cm) × 1/32-1/16″ (1-2 mm).
Edibility: Poisonous Plants emit a milky sap
when broken that irritates eyes, mouth, and skin.