Snow-on-the-Mountain

Euphorbia marginata Pursh.

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

▲ ▼ young plants, just starting to show white coloring

▲ ▼ mature plants with white-edged bracts around inflorescences

▲ ▼ inflorescences

▲ close-up of inflorescence

Snow-on-the-Mountain:  (pp. 298-299, Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

·        midwest-native, upright-growing, branched summer annual, 2-4’ tall

·        prefers dry soils, found in pastures, roadsides, non-crop areas, sometimes in cultivated crops

·        oval leaves are hairless and medium to bright green, except when just below greenish-white flowers, then the leafy bracts are edged in white—quite showy

·        plant may be poisonous if ingested in quantity by livestock

·        milky sap may irritate skin for sensitive humans

·        also grown as an annual ornamental flower