Irish spurge - Euphorbia hyberna

Common Name :	Irish spurge.
Binomial Name :	Euphorbia hyberna
Family :	Euphorbiaceae
Photo Taken :	Ireland

Botanical Identity

Euphorbia hyberna, commonly known as Irish spurge or hybernal spurge, is a perennial species in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to parts of western and southern Europe, including Ireland, Italy, and the Balkans. This plant is of particular botanical interest due to its limited natural distribution in Ireland, where it grows in a few scattered locations, making it a rare native species there. It thrives in woodland clearings and rocky hillsides.

Plant Description

Euphorbia hyberna typically grows between 30 to 100 centimeters tall. It has upright, branching stems and lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately or in whorls. The stems exude a milky sap when broken, a common characteristic of euphorbias. The plant prefers calcareous or well-drained soils and is tolerant of partial shade. Its robust and architectural form makes it stand out in the wild as well as in cultivated woodland or naturalistic gardens.

Flowers and Fruit Characteristics

The plant produces clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers in spring and early summer. Like many species in the Euphorbia genus, these are technically cyathia—specialized inflorescences that look like single flowers. The true flowers are tiny and lack petals, surrounded by colorful bracts that attract pollinators. After flowering, it develops small, rounded seed capsules that explosively release seeds when ripe, aiding in natural dispersal.


Photos of this Irish spurge (Euphorbia hyberna) were taken from the following locations:
1) February 2016: War memorial garden, Dublin, Ireland.


Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com