Euphorbia myrsinites
Rollers spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites )
The rollers spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites, Syn: Tithymalus myrsinites (L.) Hill ), also called Myrtenblätterige spurge, a flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia is (Euphorbia ) from the family of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ).
The German name refers to the cylindrical branches of plants. The botanical name is derived from the myrtle ( Myrtus communis), with the spurge has a certain similarity.
Description and distribution
The rollers Spurge is a succulent, evergreen perennial plant that reaches the stature heights of up to about 15 cm. Your to about 30 cm long, trailing branches appear at ground level and not branch further. The juicy, blue-green leaves are densely arranged spirally and overlap partially. All plant parts are covered by a waxy layer that repels rain and so effectively prevents wetting.
The inflorescences appear in dense terminal eight - to 13 - rayed umbels. The paired, rounded bracts and the cyathia are greenish yellow. The four nectar glands of cyathia are oval to rounded trapezoidal, yellow to brownish (rarely purple ) and wear on the outer edges of two finger - to club-shaped appendage.
Bloom time is depending on location and weather from March to July. Freshly placed in the garden plants bloom sometimes in the fall. Branches that bear inflorescences, die after their withering.
The natural range extends from the Balearic Islands to Italy and Greece to Turkey and Albania to southern Russia. The plants grow between rocks in open forests at altitudes 1000-2300 m above sea level.
There are plants brought into parts of the U.S. as a dangerous " weeds ". So there are in the state of Colorado, a law that prohibits the possession and cultivation of the species. Landowners are obliged to remove the Spurge from their land and should receive instructions with pictures from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Subspecies
- Euphorbia myrsinites subsp. myrsinites L.
- Euphorbia myrsinites subsp. pontica ( Prokh. ) R.Turner differs by smaller leaves and is native to the Black Sea in the area.
- Euphorbia myrsinites subsp. rechingeri ( Greuter ) Aldén is located on the Greek Islands (possibly from Greece to Turkey).
Cultivation
The rollers spurge prefers warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Ideal are rock gardens, joints of dry stone walls and dry banks. Standing water will not be tolerated. If a suitable site exists, the rollers spurge requires no maintenance. Pests and diseases occur only very rarely. Here commercially offered plants are hardy to about -20 ° C. For souvenirs from the natural range of caution here, as these plants can tolerate often only minor frosts.
An increase is possible by dividing the " rhizome " or by seeds. Sowing Instructions of commercially available seed recommends this to press the substrate and for about a month evenly moist to keep bright and cold (up to 5 ° C at 0 ). After this treatment, the germination C. then takes place at 15 to 20 °
Medicinal plant
Dioskuridesschrieb on the Myrtenblätterige spurge:
Gallery
Growth form of an older plant
Terminal inflorescences in bud condition
Cyathia with fruit. The nectar glands may become discolored red when withering.