Euphorbia mellifera
| Euphorbia mellifera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. mellifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia mellifera Ait. | |
Euphorbia mellifera (honey spurge, canary spurge syn. Tithymalus melliferus Moench)[1]) is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to Madeira. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) or more, with narrow leaves up to 20 cm (8 in) long. In spring it produces brown, honey-scented flowers.[2]
The Latin specific epithet mellifera means "producing honey".[3]
It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]
Like all euphorbias, this plant contains a milky-white sap, which oozes out of the stems when cut. This can be a skin irritant and is very harmful to the eyes. Gloves should be worn when pruning,
References
- ↑ Euphorbia mellifera in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ↑ "Euphorbia mellifera". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 26 July 2013.