Flowering Spurge

Description

(Euphorbia corollata), commonly known as Flowering Spurge, is a native perennial forb (wildflower). It prefers full sun and mesic to dry soil conditions. Poor soil is preferable because there are fewer competing weeds. This species has excellent drought resistance, and disease is rarely a problem when the soil is well-drained.

The flowers attract a variety of bee, wasps, and butterflies. Other insects feed on the sap, foliage, and other parts of the plant. The seeds are eaten by various birds, including the Wild Turkey, Greater Prairie Chicken, Bobwhite Quail, Mourning Dove, and Horned Lark. Deer browse the leaves in spring and summer.

Flowering Spurge is rarely eaten by grazing animals because of the toxic white latex in its foliage. Toxins in the leaves can kill cattle.

Flowering Spurge is occasionally called “prairie Baby’s Breath”. It can be a valuable addition to a native garden, pollinator garden, or naturalized meadow landscape. The charming white flowers have a long blooming season, from early summer to early autumn. Flowering Spurge is a highly adaptable perennial for poor soils.

Habitats include various kinds of prairies, openings in rocky upland or sandy woodlands, savannas, thinly wooded bluffs, limestone glades, stabilized sand dunes, roadsides, areas along railroads, mined land, and agricultural land that has been abandoned. Flowering Spurge grows well in either disturbed areas or high-quality natural areas.

Seeding Rate: 8 bulk lb./acre