Flower Properties

Property	Value
English Name	Irish Spurge
MainColor	Green
PlantType	Herb
Growth Type	Naturalized
Season	August
ImageUrl	Euphorbia-001
Photographer	DP
Location	Glyndebourne
Human Toxicity	Highly_Toxic

Flower Details

Description

Euphorbia hyberna is a robust, herbaceous perennial with upright stems and dense clusters of lime-green bracts in spring. It thrives in damp, shady woodlands and adds vivid early-season colour to borders. Like all spurges, it exudes a white, milky latex when cut that can be irritating.

Distribution

Native to western Europe, including parts of Ireland and southwest England, where it grows in woodland glades and moist slopes.

Medicinal/Other Uses

Historically, spurges were used as purgatives, but Euphorbia hyberna’s latex is highly irritating and unsuitable for internal use.

Edibility

Not edible.

Human Toxicity

All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. The milky sap can cause severe skin and eye irritation. Gloves should always be worn when handling.

Pet Toxicity

Highly toxic to pets; ingestion or sap contact can cause drooling, vomiting, or blistering.

Active Compounds

Contains diterpenoid esters responsible for its caustic properties.