Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

commonly known as cypress spurge, is a perennial herb distinguished by its uniquely fine, needle-like foliage that is reminiscent of cypress trees. The leaves, set closely together on the stems, present a wispy, feathery look and are initially a bright green in color, transitioning to an eye-catching yellow or reddish hue in the fall. Its flowers aren't conspicuous in the traditional sense; rather, it has tiny, yellow-green structures, sometimes mistaken for petals, which are actually specialized leaves surrounding the true flowers. These tiny flowers add a subtle textural contrast to the foliage. The plant forms a dense, mat-like groundcover, and from spring to summer, it may produce a milky sap when cut or broken. This sap can be an irritant, a characteristic trait of this family of plants. Cypress spurge is known to be hardy, thriving in a variety of conditions, and can spread vigorously in favorable environments.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Euphorbiaceae
- Synonyms
  Cypress Spurge, Graveyard Moss, Cypress Euphorbia
- Common names
  Tithymalus cyparissias, Euphorbia cyparissias var. cyparissias, Euphorbia cyparissias var. microphylla, Euphorbia intercedens, Euphorbia lacerata, Euphorbia montana, Galarhoeus cyparissias, Tithymalus intercedens, Tithymalus montanus.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Cypress spurge contains a toxic white latex in its sap that can cause skin irritation and inflammation upon contact. If ingested, it can lead to severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The toxins in this plant may also affect the nervous system and cause symptoms such as dizziness and lethargy. In severe cases, ingesting Cypress spurge can lead to more critical conditions like convulsions or coma. Contact with the eyes can result in temporary blindness and severe eye irritation. Handling this plant requires caution, and ingestion should be strictly avoided due to its toxic properties.
- To pets
  Cypress spurge is toxic to pets due to the presence of a milky sap containing irritant and toxic compounds. If pets consume any part of this plant, they can experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal pain. The latex can also cause skin and eye irritation upon contact. More severe symptoms may include weakness, tremors, or seizures in extreme cases. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if a pet is suspected of ingesting Cypress spurge to mitigate the risk of serious consequences. It is important to prevent pets from accessing areas where this plant grows to ensure their safety.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  1 feet (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 feet (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Drought Tolerance: Cypress spurge is highly resistant to drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Erosion Control: Its dense mat-forming growth habit helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, making it an easy choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
- Rapid Growth: Cypress spurge grows quickly, providing fast ground cover and filling in garden spaces efficiently.
- Adaptable: It can thrive in a wide range of soil types, including poor and rocky soils.
- Attracts Pollinators: Its flowers can attract insects such as butterflies, providing ecological benefits.
- Deer Resistant: The plant has a degree of resistance to browsing by deer, which can protect other garden plants.
- Ornamental Appeal: Cypress spurge offers visual interest with its fine-textured foliage and yellow-green bracts that resemble flowers.
Medical Properties
- Diuretic: Euphorbia cyparissias has been used traditionally for its diuretic properties to help increase the passing of urine.
- Laxative: The plant has been known to have laxative effects, which can help relieve constipation.
- Topical irritant: The sap is a strong irritant and has been historically applied to the skin to create blisters for the purpose of removing warts or treating other skin conditions.
- Expectorant: Traditional use also includes its role as an expectorant to help in the expulsion of phlegm from the airways.
Please note, Euphorbia cyparissias, commonly known as the cypress spurge, can be toxic and its sap can cause severe skin and eye irritation, as well as other health problems on ingestion. Extreme caution should be exercised, and it should not be used without the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Euphorbia cyparissias, commonly known as Cypress spurge, can be used for crafting natural insect repellents due to the toxic milky sap it produces that many insects avoid.
- The plant has been traditionally utilized as a protective barrier around gardens and crops, as its toxicity deters various animals and pests from encroaching on planted areas.
- Cypress spurge can be used in dye production, where the yellowish color of its cyathia (the specialized inflorescences of euphorbias) can imbue fabrics with a soft hue.
- Its distinct texture and drought resistance make Cypress spurge an excellent choice for xeriscaping and landscaping in arid regions, requiring little maintenance and water once established.
- The plant may be employed in ornamental dry flower arrangements; its ability to retain shape and color after drying makes it well suited for this purpose.
- Cypress spurge is sometimes used in model-making or dioramas, especially for creating miniature representations of grasses or heathland scenery.
- Due to its aggressive growth and dense matting habit, it can be planted on slopes or banks for soil erosion control, though it should be done cautiously due to its invasiveness.
- The sap of Cypress spurge can be carefully applied to remove warts; however, this should be done under expert guidance to avoid skin irritation or other issues.
- Educational use in botany can be another purpose, where Cypress spurge serves as an example plant to study the unique features of the Euphorbiaceae family, like its complex inflorescence and the latex-producing ability.
- Artists may use the latex from Cypress spurge as a medium in mixed-media art projects to create textures and layers, again taking care due to its toxic nature.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Cypress Spurge is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Cypress Spurge is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Invincibility: Euphorbia cyparissias, commonly known as Cypress Spurge, has a toxic sap that deters herbivores, symbolizing an invincible or resilient nature.
- Protection: Given its toxic properties, the Cypress Spurge can represent a symbol of protection against enemies and negative energies.
- Persistence: Cypress Spurge can quickly colonize an area, symbolizing the trait of persistence or determination.
- Adaptation: As a plant that thrives in various conditions, it can symbolize the ability to adapt to diverse environments or situations.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Cypress spurge should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Generally, you can water the plant with approximately 1 gallon of water every week during the active growing season. Reduce the frequency of watering to every other week when the plant is dormant. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is important to ensure that the soil is well-draining. It's also beneficial to water the plant in the morning to allow any excess moisture on the foliage to evaporate throughout the day.
Light
The Cypress spurge thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant would be a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, too much shade can lead to leggy growth and a decrease in the vibrancy of its foliage.
Temperature
Cypress spurge is adaptable to a range of temperatures and can survive in conditions as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will thrive in temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To promote the best growth and vigor, ensure that the plant is situated in an area that avoids extreme cold or heat.
Pruning
Pruning the Cypress spurge helps maintain its shape and encourages bushy growth. Prune lightly in the early spring just before new growth commences. Deadheading the spent flowers also promotes a tidier appearance and can help prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Cypress spurge thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of sand, loam, and compost, at a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
Repotting
Cypress spurge does not typically need repotting; it is a perennial that grows well outdoors and can spread without frequent transplants.
Humidity & Misting
Cypress spurge is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels, preferring dry to moderate conditions but does not require high humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide full sun, minimal water, and avoid overcrowding.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; trim to prevent over-spreading.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Euphorbia cyparissias, commonly known as Cypress Spurge, is a perennial plant that begins its life cycle as seeds, which are dispersed by wind, water, or contact with animals. Upon finding favorable conditions, the seeds germinate in the spring, typically in well-drained soils with full or partial sunlight. The seedlings develop a deep taproot and grow into mature plants with slender stems and characteristic needle-like leaves. During the growing season, which is late spring to early summer, Cypress Spurge produces its yellow-green inflorescences, which contain numerous tiny flowers, attracting pollinators and aiding in its reproduction. After pollination, the plant develops capsules which burst open when ripe, spreading seeds for the next generation. The plant may also spread vegetatively through its extensive root system, enabling it to colonize large areas and become an aggressive invader in some regions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Cypress Spurge, or Euphorbia cyparissias, is by dividing the root system. This is typically done in the early spring or fall. To propagate by division, one should carefully dig up the established plant, ensuring a good portion of the root system with each section. It’s important to use a sharp shovel or knife to separate the roots into smaller clumps, each with several shoots and a healthy amount of roots. These divisions can then be replanted immediately at the same depth they were growing before, spaced about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) apart, and watered thoroughly to establish them. Gloves should be worn during this process as the sap of Euphorbia cyparissias can be irritating to the skin and eyes.