Practical
Plants

Euphorbia marginata

Mountain Snow

an annual member of the Euphorbia genus in the family Euphorbiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[4]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A latex from the plant is used for chewing[10][3][8]. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

Product or use
Gum

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

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[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[4]. Succeeds in dry soils[1]. A very ornamental plant, its long-lasting flowers are used in button holes[1]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[4]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[7]. 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[2].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩

  6. McGregor. R. L. & Barkley. T. M. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas. 1986-00-00 ISBN 070060295x

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

Edit this page