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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurges) |
| Origin: Canary Islands (Atlantic Ocean) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red Brown |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 4-8 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): No Irrigation required |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Euphorbia canariensis (Canary Island Spurge) - A succulent shrub that can grow to 10 to 13 feet tall by nearly as wide but is usually seen in gardens about half this size. From the base arise many vertical stems about the thickness of a man's arm that are first dark green but lighten with age and together form a solid clump. The stems are usually 4 sided (sometimes 5 or 6) quadrangular stems that have short paired reddish spines along the corner edges. It produces small reddish-green flowers that emerge from near the spine axils in mid to late spring. Plant in full to part sun and irrigate occasionally to infrequently. It is hardy to around 25 °F. As will most Euphorbia, care needs to be taken when working with it as the white latex sap is poisonous but this also will keep deer and other grazers from eating this plant and it is a very attractive and durable succulent shrub that requires no additional irrigation in our coastal mediterranean climate. Euphorbia canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands where it grows on all islands in the chain on a narrow coastal belt from sea level up to around 3,600 feet in on dry lava formations along the shores and sea cliffs and on the south facing mountain slopes. Besides Canary Island Spurge is commonly called Hercules Club, Canary Candelaber Spurge and Spanish Cardón. It is the plant symbol of the island of Gran Canaria and is a CITES appendix 2 listed plant. We thank Bob Mustacich of the Santa Barbara Cactus and Succulent Society for providing us with a large specimen of this plant that we were able to propagate from.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Euphorbia canariensis.
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