Myrtle spurge: Euphorbia myrsinites

Myrtle spurge is commonly planted as a colorful garden ornamental. It grows quickly, filling in areas of the garden where nothing else will grow and before long it will get to the point where it is almost unmanageable.

Myrtle spurge, like many spurges, contains a milky sap that can burn your skin, leaving blisters and permanent scarring. If the sap from this plant makes its way into your eyes it can cause temporary or even permanent blindness. Now if that doesn’t make you want to remove this plant from your garden, I don’t know what will!

Myrtle spurge is a perennial, and like many perennials, it has a very extensive root system. Myrtle spurge has spirally arranged leaves and is typically seen growing straight up and somewhat spreading out. The flowers are bright yellow, making this plant easy to spot in the spring. Myrtle spurge is a fairly drought tolerant weed, making it a hardy, low maintenance plant, which is why it is considered by some to be a desirable plant.

So how does myrtle spurge spread? Myrtle spurge spreads by seeds, which it can shoot up to 15 feet away. This ability, combined with the extensive underground root system, team up to form a plant that can be very hard to control, almost unstoppable. Another seemingly innocent way it spreads is through the sharing of plant starts, so be sure you know what the plant is you’re sharing. You might be giving your best friend an aggressive noxious weed!

Since the leaves of myrtle spurge have a waxy layer, a surfactant (also known as a sticker) must be added to your herbicide tank mixture. This ensures that the herbicide will stick to the plant, so it can be absorbed into the root system.

Since myrtle spurge has a harmful sap, as well as being a perennial plant, mechanical removal is not recommended. Instead, a good systemic herbicide should be used. This will spread throughout the plant and into the roots, killing the whole plant. If you still prefer to hand pull a small patch on your property, please make sure you wear personal protective equipment such as eye protection, long sleeves and gloves.

Lastly, please remember that if you get a few starter plants from a neighbor, you may soon end up with more than you bargained for. Please check plants before sharing or accepting from a friend or neighbor. For more information on noxious weeds, help selecting herbicides or weed identification, please contact the Noxious Weed Control Board of Grant County at (509) 754-2011, Ext. 4710.