Yes, as said, the Euphorbias are all toxic, but that one - I know three grown up plant savvy people who have ended up in the ER when they got the sap in their eyes. I think it is the worst for toxicity.
I'm sure that your kids have all been properly instructed, Trish, seeing as how you have a farm and they all participate.
Well, with all of these scary warnings, I'm thinking I might just take it off the list!
All of our family knows not to eat plants/seeds/flowers unless specifically ok'ed, but accidents do happen. I had to go to the ER for wiping sweat off my forehead after handling poison ivy roots (the oil then dripped into my eyes with the next sweat drops), and I certainly know better~!
Trish, I think you are making the right call here. It is a lovely plant but needs to be treated with the utmost respect and little ones, well, what can we say? Someone accidentally breaks a piece, someone else picks it up and gets the sap on their hands, and - there it is. Just too risky. I honestly don't say this lightly but I walk around mine on tiptoes
Name: Susie Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a) Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
But, it is pretty interesting.. I didn't mean to suggest you actually plant it with herbs, just to suggest it gives a good volcano effect.
As a point of interest the Native American of S.W. have used the sap to adhere natural materials they used for abode construction... that sticky. I can attest it does burn a bit when on sensitive parts of skin. And it's really difficult to remove.
I have a question or two. How deep is the fist course or spiral & how deep is the center spiral?
Oops ---- edit for spelling.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
I'm late to the "Hugelkultur Herb Spiral" party but I really enjoyed reading this thread and sure look forward to seeing photo's of the spiral when it's full of plants! Great job Dave!!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!
No point in taking unnecessary chances with something so potentially nasty!
