Euphorbia marginata (yoo-FOR-bee-ah mar-jin-AH-tah)
Family: EuphorbiaceaeUnknownHerbaceous (3-15 ft)
Herbaceous (3-15 ft)Unknown
Snow on the mountain is an annual forb in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to the Great Plains that has been cultivated in gardens and has escaped into the wild in many other states. It is weedy in disturbed areas including pastures, waste lands, and can be found growing along roadsides. The specific epithet, marginata , is in reference to the white leaf margins. They prefer full sun and tolerate poor soils as long as they are well-drained. In hot summer climates some protection from the hot afternoon sun may be needed. Too much shade will cause the plants to be floppy. They are deer and drought-resistant. Plants will reseed themselves in the garden. These ornamental plants grow on a single stem 1 to 3 feet tall that is usually unbranched. The attractive medium green leaves appear in the spring and then the upper leaves become edged in white near the stem ends and sometimes become all white. The flowers are small clusters of narrow, greenish-yellow, cup-shaped cyathia that bloom at the end of the stems and have long-lasting petal-like white bracts. The blooms are seen from July to September. The fruits are 3-valved capsules that are covered with dense white hairs. Use this plant in naturalized areas, borders or as an annual ground cover for sunny dry areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for aphids. Can be weedy. Stems and leaves contain a milky latex sap that can cause contact dermatitis for some. Be sure to wear protective gloves. Keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets. It is toxic if ingested. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are green with white margins and up to 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. They are oblong to elliptical in shape with a pointed tip, entire margins and stemless. They are alternate on the stem but may be whorled in the upper flowering branches.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
Broad, white margins on leafy bracts surround the center which consists of many male flowers surrounding a single female flower. The greenish-yellow true flowers appear in clusters called cyathia at the stem ends from mid-summer to early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Gray/Silver; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is three-parted capsule that measures 6-8 mm across and is round to egg-shaped. It is covered with dense white hairs. The capsule is green that matures to dark gray and contains three ridged seeds that measure 3-4 mm long.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
the stems are light green and then turn light yellow to reddish brown. Younger stems are covered with white hairs. As the plant matures the stems become smooth. The stems have a milky latex sap.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
West Central & Central U.S.A. to East & South Mexico
Distribution
Now found in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
Wildlife value
Flowers attract various pollinators
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Play value
Colorful
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#rabbit resistant #drought tolerant #sandy soils tolerant #rocky soils tolerant #summer flowers #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #white flowers #annual #contact dermatitis #problem for children #problem for dogs #poisonous #problem for cats #wildflower #long bloom time #banks #showy leaves #prairies #showy flowers #cutting garden #rock garden #border planting #meadow #naturalized area #poisonous if ingested #cottage garden #slopes #weedy
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Weedy
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.