Euphorbia stricta, commonly known as Upright Spurge, is an annual herb native to Europe and is typically found in dry grasslands, open woodlands, and on sunny slopes, preferring calcareous soils. It grows at a moderate rate to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 1-1.5 feet (0.3-0.5 meters). The plant has a vertical growth habit with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and bears clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers in the summer. The flowers are not particularly showy but are interesting upon close inspection.

Upright Spurge is valued for its drought tolerance and its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is also used in wildflower meadows and as a filler in mixed borders due to its upright form. In cultivation, it requires full sun or part shade and prefers medium draining clay, loam, or sandy soils. While it tolerates a range of soil types, it does best in well-drained conditions with moderate water. Euphorbia stricta contains a milky sap that is toxic and can cause skin irritation, so caution should be exercised when handling the plant. It is potentially invasive in some regions and can self-seed prolifically, so gardeners should monitor its spread.CC BY-SA 4.0