XSnow On the Mountain (Euphorbia marginata)X
Click/Tap a thumbnail image to see its larger image with informational details.
-
Snow On the Mountain -or- Smoke On the Prairie -or- Variegated Spurge -or- Whitemargined Spurge (Euphorbia marginata), family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge)
After many peeks in books of this very lovely plant, we saw it in the flesh. However, pretty though it may be, the plants come with a mixed bag of positive vs. negative traits. Varying degrees of toxicity warnings and invasive weed classifications come with the species. The USDA Plant Database lists 96 species in this genus, while according to information on WIKIPEDIA there are closer to 2,160. They describe this genus as 'one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom, maybe exceeded only by Senecio'. The plants are native to the continental United States.
USES:
From the excellent website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of this species by Native American tribes: Lakota Infusion of crushed leaves used as a liniment for swellings. Infusion of plant used by mothers without milk. Pawnee Plant considered poisonous. HOWEVER, this is an interesting record ... Kiowa Used for chewing gum. (It is not noted how or what parts of the plants were used in that way).
CAUTIONS: Per WIKIPEDIA: Spurges should be handled with caution. Latex coming in contact with the skin should be washed off immediately and thoroughly. Partially or completely congealed latex is often no longer soluble in water, but can be removed with an emulsion (milk, hand-cream). A physician should be consulted regarding any inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially the eyes, as severe eye damage including possible permanent blindness may result from acute exposure to the sap. It has been noticed, when cutting large succulent spurges in a greenhouse, that vapours from the latex spread and can cause severe irritation to the eyes and air passages several metres away. Precautions, including sufficient ventilation, are required. Small children and domestic pets should be kept from contact with spurges.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), the popular 'Christmas Plants' are members of this family. Another species in this family on the site, Rocky Mountain Spurge, is here.
Flower -
Plant location: Seen along the roadside driving to the entrance to Roxborough Park, in Colorado. July 21, 2010. GPS coordinates N39?26.393 W105?03.842, elevation 6014'. These plants are spread generously throughout the United States: 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. Habitats include dry slopes; disturbed prairies; roadsides (where this specimen was sighted). The plants are found in parts of Canada as well.Plant -
Bloom season: July through October. In spite of the possible toxic characteristics of the plants they are often well regarded for their ornamental appearance in the cultivated garden. They are said to be highly resistant to deer foraging.Foliage -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-