I’m really new to gardening. I’ve had this gopher plant for a few months, probably since October or November. Ever since I’ve had it I’ve been noticing these white speckles develop and start spreading. I’ve tried searching on the internet but I can’t find anything that looks similar, except maybe powdery mildew? I cut off one of the “heads” that was nearly dead and covered with white spots because I didn’t want it to spread, but unfortunately it has, and now covers almost the entire plant. Does anyone have any idea what this could be, and if it’s possible to get rid of? Thank you so much <3
Gopher Plant unknown parasite?
- Thread starter darkbays
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Greetings, welcome to the Forums.
The plant pictured is Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida), native to parts of the Mediterranean Basin. It may also be called 'Gopher Plant', though that common name is more usually associated with Euphorbia lathyris.
As for the white bumps on the plant, they might be a type of scale insect, but this is not clear. They could also be some type edema or exudate from the plant. Use a wooden toothpick or similar to gently scrape one off. Does it appear to be a small, soft insect with a harder outer casing, or is it more like a wart or dried fluid on the stem? Use a hand-lens if one is available.
The photo you posted is not at all bad, but if possible, try to take a zoomed-in macro shot of the white bumps. Some cameras are capable of this. You may need to brace the camera or use a stand. to get a clear shot.
The plant pictured is Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida), native to parts of the Mediterranean Basin. It may also be called 'Gopher Plant', though that common name is more usually associated with Euphorbia lathyris.
As for the white bumps on the plant, they might be a type of scale insect, but this is not clear. They could also be some type edema or exudate from the plant. Use a wooden toothpick or similar to gently scrape one off. Does it appear to be a small, soft insect with a harder outer casing, or is it more like a wart or dried fluid on the stem? Use a hand-lens if one is available.
The photo you posted is not at all bad, but if possible, try to take a zoomed-in macro shot of the white bumps. Some cameras are capable of this. You may need to brace the camera or use a stand. to get a clear shot.
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Sorry for the very late response. Unfortunately I don’t have a macro lens but I could *try* to get a closer up photo. The white bumps are definitely like dried fluid on the stems of some sort, not insects. The plant was pretty healthy when I got it but whatever is wrong with it has made it very weak.
If it is not an infestation, I'm not sure what it might be. Edema is often caused by poor cultural conditions.
To review, Euphorbia rigida wants full sun. In a container it should have good drainage and moderate irrigation. Let the soil mostly dry before the next irrigation.
I grow Euphorbia rigida in my garden where it is does well. In-ground, it is quite drought-tolerant and fairly clay-tolerant. It occasionally reseeds itself, which I enjoy. The seedlings can be easily transplanted to another location if need be.
To review, Euphorbia rigida wants full sun. In a container it should have good drainage and moderate irrigation. Let the soil mostly dry before the next irrigation.
I grow Euphorbia rigida in my garden where it is does well. In-ground, it is quite drought-tolerant and fairly clay-tolerant. It occasionally reseeds itself, which I enjoy. The seedlings can be easily transplanted to another location if need be.
I'm curious to see how this develops. Your plant is in a container, so check soil moisture before irrigation. Don't don't go by a set schedule.
The photo looks like the plant is in shade. Of course that might not be true, but if you can give it more light do so.
The photo looks like the plant is in shade. Of course that might not be true, but if you can give it more light do so.
Update: still unsure what was wrong with the plant, but it has gone from a healthy pale green to pinkish-red and droopy in a few months. The stems were also no longer firm. I decided to throw out the plant today because it seemed unsalvageable 
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I'm sorry it didn't recover. Those later photos show the plant continuing to 'hemorrhage' white latex all over. It was a strange malady.
I'm not sure if this was a disease or a cultural problem.
I'm not sure if this was a disease or a cultural problem.