Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress spurge) — Photograph, Eisenach, Germany, 2026

HA-0256 · Photograph, Eisenach, Germany, 04/2026, Julian Auch

Cypress spurgeEuphorbia cyparissias

Euphorbia cyparissias, commonly known as cypress spurge, is a perennial wildflower native to Europe. It is recognized by its very narrow, needle-like leaves that resemble the foliage of a cypress tree, reflected in the species name cyparissias. In spring and early summer, the plant produces vivid yellow-green floral bracts that often turn orange or reddish with age. Like other spurges, it contains a milky, toxic sap once used in folk remedies despite its irritating properties. Its unusual texture and drought tolerance allow it to thrive in dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and sandy soils where many broader-leaved plants struggle.

Scientific Name

Euphorbia cyparissias

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Lifespan

perennial

Blossom Color

yellow

Blossom Symmetry

radial