Myrtle spurge

From late winter through spring this evergreen euphorbia adds bright colors to the Sicilian countryside with glowing chartreuse clusters of flowers. The plant forms a dense mound 1 to 2.5 ft. (30 to 75 cm) in diameter. Its large yellow flower heads open at the tips of branches that are crowded with spirals of stiff, pointed, gray-green leaves. As they mature, the color of bloom clusters change to an intense reddish pink. After flowering, the stems die back.

Habitat: Sunny rocky hillsides and along roadsides.

Scientific name: Euphorbia rigida

Italian common name: Euforbia rigida

English common name: Upright myrtle spurge