--- { "id": "snow-on-the-mountain", "name": "Snow-on-the-mountain", "scientific": "Euphorbia marginata", "category": "native", "status": "Native Colorado plant · not on state Lists A/B/C", "status_sources": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "Latex can damage skin and eyes; toxic if eaten", "warning_tone": "danger", "aliases": [ "snow on the mountain", "variegated spurge" ], "taxonomy_note": "The same common name is used for Aegopodium podagraria, an unrelated groundcover. This profile and its sap warnings apply to Euphorbia marginata.", "source_ids": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025", "N-euphorbia-marginata", "S27" ], "description": "Snow-on-the-mountain: Latex can damage skin and eyes; toxic if eaten. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Identification", "sources": [ "N-euphorbia-marginata" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-1" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [ "N-euphorbia-marginata" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-2" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [ "N-euphorbia-marginata" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-3" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-4" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "N-euphorbia-marginata" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-5" }, { "label": "Management & timing", "sources": [ "N-euphorbia-marginata" ], "scope": "Management synthesis", "note": "", "id": "snow-on-the-mountain-6" } ], "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "snow-on-the-mountain-4" ] }, { "area": "Identification", "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.", "related_claim_ids": [] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "colorado_relevance": { "source_id": "C-floristic-2020", "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 54; Euphorbia marginata", "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.", "source_taxon": "Euphorbia marginata" }, "source": "content/plants/snow-on-the-mountain.md" } --- # Snow-on-the-mountain *Euphorbia marginata* **Native Colorado plant · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) > **Latex can damage skin and eyes; toxic if eaten.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). **Identification caveat:** The same common name is used for Aegopodium podagraria, an unrelated groundcover. This profile and its sap warnings apply to Euphorbia marginata. ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Tall, branching snow-on-the-mountain plant with green lower leaves and white-edged upper foliage.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-euphorbia-marginata-habit-310545934.jpg) **habit** — Tall, branching snow-on-the-mountain plant with green lower leaves and white-edged upper foliage. Photo: Mark G; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178461969); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/310545934/original.jpg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Top view of snow-on-the-mountain flower clusters surrounded by white-edged bracts against a dark background.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-euphorbia-marginata-flowers-bracts-156228977.jpeg) **flowers-bracts** — Top view of snow-on-the-mountain flower clusters surrounded by white-edged bracts against a dark background. Photo: Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/94193832); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/156228977/original.jpeg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Snow-on-the-mountain branch held in a hand, showing white leaf margins and small central flower structures.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-euphorbia-marginata-upper-foliage-310545915.jpg) **upper-foliage** — Snow-on-the-mountain branch held in a hand, showing white leaf margins and small central flower structures. Photo: Mark G; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178461969); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/310545915/original.jpg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ## Identification An upright annual whose upper leaves develop striking white margins. Tiny flowers sit within the showy pale bracts. Damaged tissues exude milky latex. [N-euphorbia-marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/) ## People Sap can cause dermatitis, mouth blistering and serious eye damage. Wear gloves and prevent sap contact, especially with eyes. [N-euphorbia-marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/) ## Dogs & cats NC State flags this species as hazardous to pets. Prevent chewing and contact with latex; the source provides no safe pet exposure amount. [N-euphorbia-marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/) ## Other animals The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Plants & habitat A native plains annual also grown as an ornamental. It tolerates dry, poor soil and can reseed into unwanted patches. [N-euphorbia-marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/) ## Management & timing Handle with protection and remove unwanted plants before seed maturation. Keep freshly cut material inaccessible to children and animals. [N-euphorbia-marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/) *Evidence scope: Management synthesis.* ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields. - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **N-euphorbia-marginata** — [Euphorbia marginata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euphorbia-marginata/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:13+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=snow-on-the-mountain) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 54; Euphorbia marginata. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance. ## Open research questions - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries The same common name is used for Aegopodium podagraria, an unrelated groundcover. This profile and its sap warnings apply to Euphorbia marginata. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | snow-on-the-mountain-1 | Identification | Species-specific | N-euphorbia-marginata | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | snow-on-the-mountain-2 | People | Species-specific | N-euphorbia-marginata | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | snow-on-the-mountain-3 | Dogs & cats | Species-specific | N-euphorbia-marginata | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | snow-on-the-mountain-4 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | snow-on-the-mountain-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-euphorbia-marginata | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | snow-on-the-mountain-6 | Management & timing | Management synthesis | N-euphorbia-marginata | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/snow-on-the-mountain/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/snow-on-the-mountain/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/snow-on-the-mountain/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json