myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites L)

Appearance
Euphorbia myrsinites is a perennial or biennial herb that usually grows between 6-12 in. (15.2-30.5 cm) tall.

Foliage
Leaves are alternate in tight spirals, grey-blue, thick, waxy, oval to wedge-shaped, pointed at the tip, and 0.63-1.25 in. (1.6-3.2 cm) long and 0.25-1 in. (0.64-2.5 cm) wide.

Flowers
Flowers are yellow-green, cupped inside a yellow bract, and grow in clusters. Flowers bloom from mid-spring to early summer.

Fruit
Each flower produces a bluish-green seed pod that contains 3, 0.13 in. (0.32 cm) long seeds. Seeds are dusty brown with a texture resembling that of a peach pit.

Ecological Threat
Euphorbia myrsinites can be found in disturbed areas and waste places. It is native to southern Europe and central Asia. Be aware, this plant can cause skin and eye irritation and is toxic if consumed.

Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf

Selected Images

Maps

EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources

Taxonomic Rank

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Superorder: Rosanae

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: Euphorbia L.

Euphorbia myrsinites L

References

Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.