We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Euphorbia marginata - Pursh.

Common Name Mountain Snow, Ghost Spurge, Ghost Weed
Family Euphorbiaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[214].
Habitats Infrequent to locally abundant, the plant has a liking for calcareous soils of prairies, roadsides, pastures and waste places[228].
Range Central N. America. A garden escape in S.E. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Euphorbia marginata Mountain Snow, Ghost Spurge, Ghost Weed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial
Euphorbia marginata Mountain Snow, Ghost Spurge, Ghost Weed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Euphorbia marginata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum

A latex from the plant is used for chewing[61, 177, 257]. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Galactogogue  Salve  Women's complaints

Astringent, women's complaints. Used in the treatment of leucorrhoea[4]. An infusion of the crushed leaves has been used as a liniment in the treatment of swellings[257]. An infusion of the plant has been used to increase milk flow in nursing mothers[257]. Any medicinal use of this plant should be carried out with great care, see the notes above on toxicity[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Gum

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Specimen. A very ornamental plant, its long-lasting flowers are used in button holes[1]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. 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[141]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Wetlands plant. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[1]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Acalypha australisAsian copperleafAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNM01 
Alchornea castaneifoliaIporuruTree8.0 10-12 FLMHSNMWe042
Alchornea cordifoliaChristmas BushShrub8.0 10-12 MLMHNDMWe243
Aleurites cordataJapan Wood-Oil TreeTree7.0 9-11  LMSNM002
Aleurites fordiiTung Tree, Tung Oil Tree, Wood Oil Tree ChinaTree7.0 8-10 FLMSNM133
Aleurites moluccanusCandle Nut, Country WalnutTree20.0 10-12 FLMHNDM334
Caryodendron orinocenseTaccy Nut, Nuez de BarinasTree25.0 10-12 FLMHNM312
Chrozophora tinctoriaDyer's Croton, GiradolPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM102
Cnidoscolus aconitifoliusTree Spinach, Tread Softly, Cabbage Star, ChayaShrub5.0 9-11 FLMHSNM433
Cnidoscolus elasticusHighland chilteShrub1.0 9-11 FLMHNDM004
Croton lechleriSangre De Grado, Dragon's bloodTree12.0 10-12 FLMHNM041
Croton megalocarpusCroton treeTree25.0 10-12 FLMNM024
Croton palanostigmaSangre De Grado, Dragon's bloodTree12.0 10-12 FLMNM042
Croton salutarisSangre De Grado, Dragon's bloodTree12.0 10-12 FLMNM040
Croton tigliumCroton Oil Plant. Croton, Purging croton.Tree7.0 10-12 MLMHNDM032
Euphorbia abyssinicaCandelabra SpurgeTree7.5 10-12 MLMSND023
Euphorbia antisyphiliticaCandelillaShrub1.0 7-10  LMNDM204
Euphorbia corollataWild Spurge, Flowering spurgePerennial1.0 4-8  LMSNDM022
Euphorbia drummondiiCaustic WeedAnnual0.2 -  LMNDM01 
Euphorbia esulaLeafy Spurge. Green spurgePerennial1.0 3-9 FLMHSNDM004
Euphorbia helioscopiaMadwoman's MilkAnnual0.4 -  LMNDM12 
Euphorbia hirtaAsthma Weed, Pill-Bearing SpurgeAnnual0.3 -  LMNDM13 
Euphorbia humifusa Annual0.2 -  LMNDM12 
Euphorbia intisyIntisy, Pencil PlantShrub5.0 10-12 FLMSND003
Euphorbia ipecacuanhaeAmerican Ipec 0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Euphorbia lacteaMottled SpurgeShrub5.0 10-11 MLMHSNDM004
Euphorbia lathyrisCaper Spurge, MoleplantAnnual/Biennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNDM123
Euphorbia neriifoliaFleshy spurge, Hedge Euphorbia, Oleander spurgeShrub4.0 10-12 FLMSND222
Euphorbia pekinensisDa JiPerennial0.6 -  LMNDM03 
123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

60200228

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Euphorbia marginata  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.