White plume euphorbia (Euphorbia fulgens ‘Alba’) is an upright, arching, sun-loving shrub that displays creamy white flowers throughout the winter, given frost-free conditions. Produced at the nodes all along its wand-like stems, the flowers are actually entire inflorescences in which each individual flower is reduced to a single stamen or pistil. They are aggregated in a small cup-like structure that has five glands on the rim, each of which has a conspicuous white petal-like appendage. The stems grow to 6 feet, with 3-inch deciduous, lanceolate, stalked leaves.

The flowers are visited by Mexican pollinating insects, and the plant’s milky sap deters deer browsing. A native of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, the white plume euphorbia can reach up to 6.5 feet in height and width. When handling euphorbia, it is advisable to wear gloves, because the sap is a skin irritant that can cause a nasty rash.