Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to Central America, snow on the mountain is the perfect common name. The rounded shrub puts on a spectacular display of white flowers during the Christmas Holiday season, reminiscent of snow. A cousin of the poinsettia, this plant is a perfect low-maintenance addition to your garden! Not only is snow on the mountain drought-tolerant, but this plant also takes well to pruning, making it an excellent option for a hedge or screen. Propagate with seeds or cuttings.
Plant Uses:
- Hedge
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
Plant Dangers:
- Allergenic
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (native to subtropical/tropical regions; versatile)
- History of repeated introductions outside native range (widely cultivated)
- Congeneric weeds (other Euphorbia species are invasive)
- Toxic to humans (latex causes skin irritation)
- Produces viable seed
- Dispersed intentionally (popular garden plant) and unintentionally (via potted gifts)
- Tolerates heavy pruning (responds well to mutilation)
- Fast-growing with short minimum generative time (~3 years)
Low Risk Traits:
- No evidence of naturalization or weediness
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic to animals
- Not a pest/pathogen host
- Does not form dense thickets
- Not shade tolerant; requires well-drained soil
- No vegetative fragmentation
- Limited dispersal (seeds released explosively; no wind, water, or animal adaptations)
- Low seed production (~3 seeds per fruit)
