eggleaf spurge
Euphorbia oblongata
The showy yellow-green 'petals' are actually modified leaves called bracts, which surround tiny, cup-like structures containing the actual microscopic flowers.
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia oblongata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Malpighiales › Euphorbiaceae › Euphorbia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Disturbed fields, pastures, roadsides, and open riparian grasslands.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis via sunlight, water, and soil nutrients).
- Range
- Balkan Peninsula, Italy, Turkey, California, Oregon
- Size
- 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) tall
- Lifespan
- 3 to 5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Largely unaffected by major threats; actively controlled as an invasive weed in several non-native regions.
- Safe to approach?
- Defensive. The plant contains a milky white latex sap that is highly irritating to skin and eyes. Do not touch or break the stems. If contact occurs, wash skin immediately with soap and water. If sap enters the eyes, flush with water and seek medical attention immediately. Do not ingest.
Euphorbia oblongata is a species of spurge known by the common names Balkan spurge , eggleaf spurge and oblong spurge . It is native to Eurasia but can be found elsewhere as a weedy introduced species. This is a hairy perennial herb growing to maximum heights of just over half a metre. It has oval-shaped or narrow leaves with finely toothed edges which are 4 to 6 centimetres long. The foliage is green to yellow-green. The inflorescences hold...
Photo: Don Loarie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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