Facts about the Gopher Plant
Some plants are known for their beauty, while others are known for their “unique” appearance; which is more the case of the euphorbia biglandulosa, or gopher plant. An unusual specimen, this plant is considered to be a great ornamental for arid, desert landscapes, but may need some investigation before considering it for a small yard.
What is a gopher plant?
Almost everyone knows of at least one plant in the family euphorbia; the best known Christmas plant called the poinsettia. While most are not familiar through the family name, euphorbia has the distinction of having the largest genera of flowering plants, with over 2,000 species that can range between weeds that are trodden underfoot to towering cactus like plants. The euphorbia biglandulosa is among the smaller of the euphorbia members, growing quickly beginning in the spring to achieve its full size of 3 feet in diameter.
Euphorbia biglandulosa is an evergreen perennial, but can be also considered as a shrub because of its form. Stems grow upward and outward, covered in grayish green leaves that are narrow and thick. The tips of the branches develop buds that transform into clusters of extraordinary flowers that are yellowish green in color and opening to resemble the gaping beak of a baby bird. Flowers die away to form seed pods, smallish in size yet huge in power. When ripe, the pods open explosively; flinging the seed as much as 50 feet in diameter around the mother plant. Once the reproductive phase is finished, the plant stems die back; leaving behind a small rosette of similarly colored foliage which will remain throughout the hibernation period.
Euphorbia plants all have one thing in common: the sap of the plant is highly poisonous. Sap flows from the roots through the plant stems, making every part of the foliage toxic to animals who may attempt to snack from it. The ability to kill rodents who enjoy eating plant roots is a feature that gave the plant its nickname, gopher plant. Gophers are small rodents who can wreak havoc in a garden or flower bed by burrowing underground to find their favorite food: plant roots. When the roots of the euphorbia are eaten, however, drastic results ensue by poisoning the rodents. For this reason, many individuals feel that planting euphorbia including the biglandulosa around their prized plants in their flower beds, landscapes and gardens help to guard against gopher attack and thereby preserve their plants.
Uses for Euphorbia biglandulosa
Those who live in arid locations will find that the gopher plant is an amenable addition to their landscape. It is important for people in these areas to conserve water, and carefully choosing the plants to include in their desert landscapes must reflect this fact. Finding plant life that is water thrifty yet possessing ornamental quality as well is a vital issue, and the euphorbia biglandulosa is one that has proven to be quite successful.
This species of euphorbia is hardy to approximately 5°. It can thrive in full sun conditions but also does well in partial shade. Good drainage is required; a feature that is common among fleshy leafed plants. The plant does best in USDA zones 8b through 10, yet in very dry conditions, should be irrigated manually during these hottest periods.
Small gardens may find the euphorbia to be rather invasive. Its habit of spewing its seeds in such a wide perimeter can repopulate the plant exponentially; a feature that may not be as handy as it sounds when the new growth begins to overwhelm the garden area. The reseeding can be controlled however; placing the foot portion from a pair of nylon stockings or a tight mesh bag over the seed pods can capture wayward seeds.
The unusual appearance of the gopher plant can be a captivating one; however, it may not be the best choice for every garden.