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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): Mother Nature's Garden of Health |
There’s
not much blooming that we haven’t already featured as a Plant of the Month. So we’ve chosen a plant that’s as well known
for its form as for its flowers. Our
Cliff spurge is looking nice in a large pot in Mother Nature’s Garden of
Health. The scientific name is pronounced: you-FOR-bee-uh MIZ-er-uh.
Cliff
spurge, also known as California spurge, is a part-woody sub-shrub native to
Southern California and the states of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. It is one of those interesting local natives
that can be found along the coast as well as in the Sonoran Desert – both in
Mexico and in the U.S.
Primarily
a Mexican species, this plant’s northern limit is the Channel Islands of Los
Angeles County (both Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands). It still also grows in isolated pockets along
the coastal bluffs of Orange and San Diego Counties. It inhabits rocky or sandy, south facing
slopes in the coastal scrub, coastal bluff scrub and Sonoran desert scrub
communities. Rare and threatened by
development and frequent fires in California [1,2], its status is more secure, at
least thus far, in Mexico.
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): young plant |
Cliff
spurge belongs to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae),
a large and interesting group growing mostly in temperate and tropical
zones. Some members – like the Cliff
spurge – are succulent and many have milky sap that contains latex. A number also have medicinal properties (many
are poisonous as well). In addition to the genus Euphorbia (many native and non-native species), this family includes
California natives like California copperleaf (Acalypha) and Croton. Also members of the spurge family are the
non-native poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), cassava (Manihot
esculenta) and castor oil plant (Ricinus communis).
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): branches and bark |
Cliff spurge has many characteristics
of the Euphorbiaceae. It grows 2-5 ft. (1-1.5 m.) tall and about as
wide. It has an open, irregularly
branching form – somewhat mounded overall.
Its branches are succulent, part-woody and covered with a pale gray-tan
bark. The young branches are hairy, but they become smooth with age. The plant looks rather like an ancient miniature
tree; and it has been put to such uses by bonsai artists.
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): leaves |
The leaves of Euphorbia misera have very short petioles (leaf stems) and appear
almost haphazardly spaced along the branches.
The leaves are simple, rounded and medium green. They have a distinctive fold along the midrib
(like a taco shell) and often have very narrow stipules (small, leaf-like
appendages from the petiole). The plant
leafs out with the winter rains; the leaves are lost in the dry season. In the wilds (or in a dry garden) the plants
can remain leafless for half of the year. Despite this, the plants are
surprisingly attractive, due to their remarkable form.
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): spring |
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): fall |
Many Euphorbias have unusual flowers; Euphorbia misera is no exception. The flowers comprise a specialized structure,
known as the cyathium. The simple male flowers are contained within
the cup of the cyathium (see the pollen-laden anthers in the photo below). The female flower, with its swollen ovary, is
on a stalk above the male flowers. The
ovary becomes a wrinkled, lobed fruit which contains the wrinkled, gray seed.
Nectar glands in the cup of the cyathium (purple-red in Euphorbia misera)
produce nectar, attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The major pollinators are likely
insects. We’ll try to keep an eye on
this plant when it’s flowering to see if we can add more details.
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): flowers |
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): close-up view of flower |
Cliff spurge can bloom any time of the year. It flowers after rain events in its native
setting, and will bloom off and on from spring through summer in a garden. But
the flowers are small; most gardeners who choose this species are either
Euphorb enthusiasts, are interested in rare
natives, or are captivated by its unusual form.
We confess to being all of the above!
Euphorbia misera is slow-growing, making it a natural
for a large container. It can take full
sun near the coast; afternoon shade is best further inland. It likes a well-drained, sandy or rocky
soil. If you have clay, try planting it
atop a low berm to improve drainage. In
containers, we just use an organic potting mix (unamended). Try to get one without much added manure –
this plant doesn’t need lots of nutrients.
In the ground it needs no fertilizer; in containers, try a ½ strength
dose in late winter.
Cliff
spurge is drought tolerant once established, but looks a bit better with
occasional summer rain. This plant gets
summer (monsoonal) rain in its native range.
It can take monthly (or even a bit more) summer irrigation in
well-drained soils. Our unglazed terra cotta pots dry out quickly, so we water
our container-grown pot at least weekly in hot, windy weather.
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| Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): young plant |
Euphorbia misera has a picturesque natural shape. Some
gardeners just let it take its natural form. If you want to shape it, try selective
pruning in late fall. You’ll
want to wear gloves and be sure to not get the milky latex on your skin. Many people
are allergic to it. Also, never
eat any part of this plant – it’s toxic.
An
infusion of the roots of Cliff spurge was traditionally used in the treatment
of stomach aches, dysentery and venereal diseases. One would want to know more about the dosing
and preparation of this plant before using it medicinally. Remember that this plant, along with many other
Euphorbs, can be poisonous.
Cliff
spurge looks nice when planted with its natural associates, including coast
spicebush (Cneoridium dumosum), California boxthorn (Lycium
californicum), California sagebrush (Artemisia californica),
lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia), bladderpod (Isomeris arborea)
and ladies’ fingers dudleya (Dudleya edulis). We particularly love the look of it in a large
container. Cliff spurge looks right at
home in a Mediterranean or Central American-style garden. You could even combine it with Euphorbs from
around the world, to create a garden celebrating this incredible Family!
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Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera): leafed out, Mother Nature's Garden of Health,
Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve, Gardena CA |
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