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Richard Allen | all galleries >> Galleries >> Oklahoma Wildflowers > Snow on the Mountain
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17 August 2003

Snow on the Mountain

Springdale Farm, Oakdale Twp., Noble Co., Okla.

The beautiful Snow on the Mountain (Euphorbia maginata) plant is a very common sight in late summer. A member of the spurge family, it is a cousin of the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), itself a wildflower native to Mexico.

Sometimes known as "ghostweed", the bitter tasting, milky sap can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when ingested. The sap can also cause severe dermatitis if allowed to remain in contact with the skin.

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Guest 22-Aug-2015 17:00
This plant is caustic to some people. I had allowed this to grow in my garden. After thinking it wasn't performing as I'd like I pulled them up with bare hands and in my bikini. A HUGE MISTAKE! The sap caused HORRIBLE rash...as bad as a terrible case of poison ivy. PLEASE use caution. And common sense...I didn't. Lol
Guest 23-Aug-2014 21:02
We have almost 2 acres of these, this summer, after cutting down hundreds of cedar trees last year. The word "dermatitis" makes me a nervous. Should we be afraid to come in contact with them? I was considering cutting some for a flower arrangement but am scared to touch them now! Also, it's possible the kids might ride 4wheelers through these at some point. Any advice would be appreciated! :)
Margaret Arnold 17-Aug-2014 07:54
I found a huge one at lake overholser in OKC. I was convinced it was of the milkweed family. Glad to know what it is.
Jane 04-Sep-2010 22:55
Thank you! I've been trying to figure out this bush for weeks. It decided to grow in my yard this summer and is quite a large bush at this point - although starting to bend under the weight of its heavily flowered branches.
Leeanne 04-Mar-2010 22:33
I saw this flower in a ditch near OKC and liked it so much I got out and pick some and put them in a vase. They didn't die as expected but went to seed as if they were still in the ground. I collected to seeds and am trying to sprout them (spring 2010) but till now I had no clue what they were. Thanks so much!