Euphorbia lathyris

Euphorbia lathyris_C118-01
Photo: UC Davis Weeds of California

Common names: caper spurge

Euphorbia lathyris (caper spurge) is a herb/ (family Euphorbiaceae) with green-yellow flowers and thin narrow leaves found in the coastal ranges, western ranges, the Central Valley, and desert ranges of California. It is native to Europe. It occurs in grasslands, marshes, dunes, scrub and chaparral habitats. It spreads via seed and is dispersed by water, machinery and dumped garden waste.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Euphorbia lathyris Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Euphorbia lathyris_growth habit_copyright 2014_NealKramer
    Euphorbia lathyris (caper spurge) growth habit. Photo: &#169 2014 Neal Kramer
    Euphorbia lathyris_ovary (fruit)_copyright 2014_NealKramer
    Euphorbia lathyris (caper spurge) ovary (fruit). Photo: &#169 2014 Neal Kramer