Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)
Keys to ID:
- Bright yellow bracts surrounding small flowers.
- Fleshy, blue-green leaves arranged in a spiral.
Identification:
- Lifecycle: Perennial
- Growth Form: Forb
- Flower: Inflorescences are umbels with small inconspicuous flowers subtended by yellow bracts that appear from March to May.
- Seeds/Fruit: Round seeds, pale green and less than 1/4 inch. Very prolific. The soil seed reserve of myrtle spurge is estimated to be eight years.
- Leaves: The stem leaves are fleshy, blue-green, alternate, appearing spirally arranged.
- Stems: Low growing perennial reaching 8 to 12 inches tall, with new stems originating from the taproot each spring; spreading habit.
- Roots: Taproot
- Propagation: Spreads by seed; plants are capable of projecting seeds up to 15 feet. The plant grows from a taproot, with new stems emerging in early spring and dying back in the winter.
Control:
Mech: The key to effective control of myrtle spurge is to remove plants prior to seed set and to detect and remove new populations early on. Small areas can be easily removed by mechanical means but should be done early to prevent triggering seed launching. Hand pull or dig when soil is moist. Make certain to pull all the roots. Treatment follow up is important to check root fragment resprouts that will occur when the tap root is severed too shallow. The site must be monitored for at least nine years after the last flowering adult plants have been eliminated and treatments repeated when necessary. It is important to remove the taproot, and all flowers should be bagged or burned as the seeds can continue to mature after the plant has been cut.
Cautions:
Thick latex-like sap can cause serious eye and skin irritation. Full coverage gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants with no gap at the wrists are warranted.