Euphorbia marginata
| Euphorbia marginata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Euphorbia marginata (common name: mountain snow)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.
Cultivation: Prefers a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[1]. Succeeds in dry soils[2].
A very ornamental plant, its long-lasting flowers are used in button holes[2].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[1]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3].
This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, although no individual species has been singled out[4].
Range: Central N. America. A garden escape in S.E. Europe.
Habitat: Infrequent to locally abundant, the plant has a liking for calcareous soils of prairies, roadsides, pastures and waste places[5].
Edibility: A latex from the plant is used for chewing[6][7][8]. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.
Medicinal: Astringent, women's complaints. Used in the treatment of leucorrhoea[9].
An infusion of the crushed leaves has been used as a liniment in the treatment of swellings[8].
An infusion of the plant has been used to increase milk flow in nursing mothers[8].
Any medicinal use of this plant should be carried out with great care, see the notes above on toxicity[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material[200
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
- ↑ McGregor, Ronald. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, 1986.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.