Euphorbia griffithii

Euphorbia griffithii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. griffithii
Binomial name
Euphorbia griffithii

Euphorbia griffithii, the Griffith's spurge,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.

Description

It is a spreading, herbaceous perennial plant that grows from a rhizome. It can reach 90 cm (35 in) in height, with many erect reddish stems. The narrow leaves are dark green with red central veins, turning red and yellow in autumn. In summer it produces flowerheads (cyathia) of brilliant red and yellow.[2]

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet griffithii refers to William Griffith[3][4] (1810-1845), a British naturalist and botanist.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to Bhutan, Tibet and southwest China. It is vigorous and can be invasive.

Cultivation

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use, including 'Dixter'[5][6] and ‘Fireglow”.[7]

References

  1. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. ^ D. Gledhill The Names of Plants, p. 184, at Google Books
  4. ^ Stearn, William (1973). A Gardenerer's Dictionary of Plant Names (Revised ed.). London: Cassell (published 1963). p. 159. ISBN 978-0304937219.
  5. ^ Named after Christopher Lloyd's garden at Great Dixter
  6. ^ "Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'". RHS. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  • Media related to Euphorbia griffithii at Wikimedia Commons