Geraldton carnation weed
(Euphorbia terracina)
This species is Introduced in the United States
ORIGIN: Mediterranean
GROWTH TRAITS: Herbaceous perennial growing up to 3.3’ tall (1 m) from a robust vertical taproot with horizontal lateral roots. All parts of the plant exude a white latex sap when torn. Stems are green to reddish, hairless, slender, and unbranched at first but dividing into ≤5 primary flower stems. Leaves are bright green, alternate, oblong, lance-shaped, ½-2” long (1½-5 cm), and have rounded tips and no leaf stems. Flowers occur in an umbel-like inflorescence subtended by large, wide bracts. The umbel is divided, with branches forking into 2 flowers. All forks are subtended by the large, wide bracts. Individual flowers are inconspicuous and yellow and surrounded by green, showy bracts. Flowering occurs in early spring for early germinating plants. Plants germinate throughout the growing season, followed quickly by flowering. Fruits are smooth, 3-lobed capsules. Seeds are tan, oval, and have a fleshy projection. Seeds can be propelled several feet from the plant upon drying.
REPRODUCTION: By seed and buds from the damaged root crown. Seeds remain viable in the soil for 3-5 years.
HABITAT: Capitalizes on disturbance to invade a variety of habitats including coastal sage scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands, riparian areas, and chaparral edges. Survives in high and low light and in both cool/moist and hot/dry climates.
LOOK-ALIKES: Other species of Euphorbia resemble carnation spurge with their showy green bracts, lance-shaped and stemless leaves, and the production of latex sap when torn. The majority of those which occur in the Southwest are exotic weeds. Most can be differentiated by having rhizomatous or fibrous roots and having leaves with smooth margins. Eggleaf spurge (Euphorbia oblongata) is very similar but has a densely hairy stem.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
GROWTH TRAITS: Herbaceous perennial growing up to 3.3’ tall (1 m) from a robust vertical taproot with horizontal lateral roots. All parts of the plant exude a white latex sap when torn. Stems are green to reddish, hairless, slender, and unbranched at first but dividing into ≤5 primary flower stems. Leaves are bright green, alternate, oblong, lance-shaped, ½-2” long (1½-5 cm), and have rounded tips and no leaf stems. Flowers occur in an umbel-like inflorescence subtended by large, wide bracts. The umbel is divided, with branches forking into 2 flowers. All forks are subtended by the large, wide bracts. Individual flowers are inconspicuous and yellow and surrounded by green, showy bracts. Flowering occurs in early spring for early germinating plants. Plants germinate throughout the growing season, followed quickly by flowering. Fruits are smooth, 3-lobed capsules. Seeds are tan, oval, and have a fleshy projection. Seeds can be propelled several feet from the plant upon drying.
REPRODUCTION: By seed and buds from the damaged root crown. Seeds remain viable in the soil for 3-5 years.
HABITAT: Capitalizes on disturbance to invade a variety of habitats including coastal sage scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands, riparian areas, and chaparral edges. Survives in high and low light and in both cool/moist and hot/dry climates.
LOOK-ALIKES: Other species of Euphorbia resemble carnation spurge with their showy green bracts, lance-shaped and stemless leaves, and the production of latex sap when torn. The majority of those which occur in the Southwest are exotic weeds. Most can be differentiated by having rhizomatous or fibrous roots and having leaves with smooth margins. Eggleaf spurge (Euphorbia oblongata) is very similar but has a densely hairy stem.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Malpighiales |
| Family: Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: Euphorbia |
| Euphorbia terracina |