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Species
Information
- myrtle
spurge
- Euphorbia
myrsinites
L.
- USDA
Symbol: EUMY2
- Oregon
Noxious Weed Designation: B
- Pictures
Identification: Perennial; blooms in early spring . Grows 4 to 6 in tall. Leaves alternately arranged in close spirals around the fleshy, trailing, blue-green stems. Flowers inconspicuous and surrounded by a showy yellow green bract.
Impacts: Originally planted as a rock garden ornamental, the species has escaped and is spreading on to open lands in dryer parts of the state. Seeds can be ejected when plants are disturbed, sticking to wildlife hair and enabling transport far from the parent plants. Aside from displacing desirable native species, the plant invades playgrounds and parks in some states. The sap of myrtle spurge is caustic and creates rashes, swelling and blistering of the skin s a human health concern.
Biological
Controls: One approved biological control agent, a leafy spurge flea beetle, has had a high survival rate on myrtle spurge in laboratory studies.
Oregon
Maps of Myrtle Spurge Distribution
Links:
USDA
Plants Database information on myrtle spurge
GRIN
Database information on myrtle spurge
Oregon Department
of Agriculture information on myrtle
spurge
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