Mottled Spurge (Euphorbia lactea)

Family: Euphorbiaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Euphorbia lactea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

All parts are poisonous: ingestion, dermatitis, or severe eye irritant. Symptoms include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when ingested; redness, swelling, blisters after some delay following contact with skin. — All parts are poisonous: ingestion, dermatitis, or severe eye irritant.; Symptoms include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when ingested; redness, swelling, blisters after some delay following contact with skin.

Habitat & North American Range

Adapted to dry regions. Many tropical and sub-tropical areas world wide. Widely escaped from cultivation and in many places forming dense thickets. (Zone 10)