Euphorbia leucocephala (Pascuita)

  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0263
  • Botanical Name: Euphorbia leucocephala
  • Common Name: Pascuita, Snowflake Euphorbia,White Christmas Bush, Snowbush, Snows of Kilimanjaro
  • Cultivar: n/a
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia leucocephala
Photo by Matthew Gaston

  • Native To: Mexico & Central America

Landscaping Information: 

    • Plant Type: Treelet, Shrub
    • Texture: Fine
    • Form: Round-Headed, Upright-Narrow
    • Height (on average, in landscape use): 8' -10'
    • Height to Spread Ratio: 3:2
    • Growth Rate: Slow , Medium, Fast
    • Landscape Values: Accent, Color, Hedge, Quick Effect, Screen, Specimen
    • Outstanding Quality: Flower Color, Foliage Color, Seasonal Color, Fragrance
    Euphorbia leucocephala
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    Botanical Descriptions:

    • Flowers: Small euphorbia-type flowers (cyathium) 
    • Fruits: -to be added-
    • Foliage Color: Young/immature: light green . Mature: dark green 
    • Foliage Tip: Acuminate
    • Foliage Base: Acute
    • Petiole: 1"-2"
    • Stipules: n/a
    • Margins: Smooth
    • Leaf Arrangement: Opposite to Whorled
    • Leaf Shape: elliptic to ovate 
    • Leaf Type: Simple 
    • Leaf Texture: Waxy, leathery
    • Leaf Special Notes: Dark green waxy, leathery leaf, with bracts being vividly white and appearing during winter (long nights).
    Euphorbia leucocephala with trophophylls and bracts
    Photo by Matthew Gaston

    • Bark and Trunk: Smooth, light brown to beige bark. 

    Horticultural Information:

      • Light Preference: Full Sun
      • Light Tolerances: Semi-Sun
      • Soil Preferences: Slightly Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline,Dry (Mesic), Dry (Xeric), Well-Drained
      • Tolerances: Not Particular, Humidity, Drought, Tolerates poor soils.
      • Water Requirements: Low
      • Notes on Maintenance: As with other members of the genus Euphorbia, broken shoots produce a latex (mily, thick, white sap) which can be mildly irritating to severely toxic. An irritant to eyes and skin. Blooms mostly in the winter. Can be pruned into a treelet with a height around 12 feet. Known to be somewhat brittle and susceptible to high wind damage.
      • Propagation: Seeds, Cutting
      • Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b
      • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA):  -2, Low Risk

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