Euphorbia Species, Creeping Spurge, Donkey Tail, Myrtle Spurge
Euphorbia myrsinites
Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
Species: | myrsinites (mire-SIN-ih-teez) (Info) |
Synonym: | Endoisila myrsinites |
Synonym: | Euphorbia curtifolia |
Synonym: | Euphorbia pectinata |
Synonym: | Euphorbia pontica |
Synonym: | Euphorbion myrsinitum |
Category:
Perennials
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Bloom Characteristics:
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Where to Grow:
Height:
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, (2 reports)
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Ferndale, California
Hesperia, California
Menifee, California
Modesto, California
North Fork, California
Perris, California
Sacramento, California
San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
San Leandro, California
Aurora, Colorado
Golden, Colorado
Woodland Park, Colorado
Orlando, Florida
Hampshire, Illinois
Machesney Park, Illinois
West Chicago, Illinois
Winnetka, Illinois
Delhi, Iowa
Franklin, Kentucky
Westminster, Maryland
Holland, Massachusetts
Belleville, Michigan
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Ludington, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Utica, Michigan
La Luz, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Southold, New York
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gibsonburg, Ohio
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Bend, Oregon
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Arlington, Texas
Irving, Texas
Magna, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah (3 reports)
South Jordan, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
Bellingham, Washington
Blaine, Washington
Colbert, Washington
Edmonds, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Twisp, Washington
Walla Walla, Washington
White Center, Washington
Oostburg, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Negative | On Jun 24, 2016, Adtuesdays from Nampa, ID wrote: My puppy, being as playful as puppies are, was chasing a reflection and ran straight into the plant, face first. When we moved in, the plant was already there. We didn't think much of it until he broke out in hives all over his face, which soon began to spread on his legs and back. They just keep growing, and he is in so much pain. He is usually insanely hyper when people come over, and he didn't even budge when people came inside. All he is doing is sleeping and every so often, pawing at his face. Poor pup! |
Negative | On May 28, 2015, Gina2 from Aurora, CO wrote: Colorado Class A Noxious Weed. Mandatory eradication. |
Positive | On Apr 9, 2014, Lauribob from Twisp, WA wrote: I have this in my rock garden where it can get a bit thuggish if you let it. I haven't found it to be disturbingly invasive - it has spread around the immediate vicinity. I will use care in the future when I'm jerking out the extras, but I've never had a skin problem with this one and I'm highly allergic to poison ivy. |
Neutral | On Jun 20, 2013, kooger from Oostburg, WI (Zone 5b) wrote: Last fall, I volunteered at the local woman's shelter and took home a little plant that was struggling. I told them I would overwinter it and would replant it if it looked like a keeper. It took off with a little care in my sidewalk bed and flopped over half the width of the sidewalk. I decided to trim it back about a month ago and broke off half the stems with my bare hands. No reaction. Reading all these reports makes me realize I was very fortunate. I'm not pulling the whole plant but will watch it carefully and likely move it to a less traveled area. I do have grands... and no, I'm not returning it to the shelter as there are often kids staying there. |
Positive | On Dec 21, 2012, JoJo70 from Bethel Acres, OK wrote: I use this plant extensively in my own sandy soil by a lake in central Oklahoma. I also planted it in a raised planter on the highway where we have a sign for the lake. We have to carry water to the planter and because of that it is ideal as it survives our dry hot heat. I have a large rock, some day lillies and the spurge in the top layer of the 4 by 8 planter. The bluegreen color reminds me of the color I wish our lake was but since this is Oklahoma, that's not happening. The center does seem to die back every year and I simply break off a few pieces on the edge and stick them in the ground where needed and they fill in the empty space in no time. I usually don't wear gloves and have never had any dermatitis from the plant. I am allergic to poison ivy so I do not have a strong immu... read more |
Negative | On Oct 23, 2012, lkbowman from Crystal Lake, IL wrote: Please be WARNED!! The toxins are so real. I had this plant growing along the edge of my pond and trimmed it. My 30, 13+ year old fish were all dead this morning. It only took 12 hours to kill every one of them!! I had no idea this could happen. That plant has been growing there for years but of course this year it was just bigger. Please DO NOT USE THIS PLANT. So sad and heartbroken!! |
Negative | On Jun 30, 2012, SnookieJ from Bend, OR (Zone 5b) wrote: I have quite a bit of this growing in my flower beds. On the positive note, it does grow anywhere...I have a lot of terrible dry soil under a Juniper tree and its great there. The bad part is its horrific if you get the sap on you. I knew the risks and still trimmed it back yesterday, paying special attention to not getting sap on me. I came in the house afterwards, and washed up very very good, on my arms and hands. About 2 hours later, my face felt on fire. I neglected to recall I had touched my face while working outside and now I feel like I have a bad sunburn. Hurts to touch. Woke up this morning and my face is really swollen in areas. Learned my lesson the hard way. Not sure if I should get rid of it completely..because it was at my own hand that I let it get to me. So ....just a war... read more |
Negative | On Jun 12, 2012, gabbydeb from West Jordan, UT wrote: I am chiming in from West Jordan UT. We have this awful ground cover in our yard. The lady that lived here before us, planted it, because I am sure that is so pretty and nice to look at. |
Negative | On Aug 16, 2011, Ontarian wrote: Here in Southern Ontario, Canada, I've come to expect this plant to be somewhat invasive, seeding itself easily, but for years have tolerated a few plants for their looks. Yesterday I pinched back the stems with bare hands on one plant with no problems. Today I did the same on another plant and even tho I washed the sap off my hands with soap and water as plain water didn't budge the gummy stuff, I must have gotten some in my eye. My eye has been burning for a couple hours now and my nose is running and also burning. I've rinsed my eye with cold water and used antihistamine drops with little relief. I hope I don't have to get further medical treatment. When this is over, the plants are all going to be pulled up and put in the garbage. This is no fun! |
Negative | On Jun 2, 2011, Sabrina1978 from Gibsonburg, OH wrote: When I first got this plant I loved it. I now know it's horrible. Spreads everywhere, gives me an itchy unsightly rash, and looks horrible after seeding. Don't do it. EVER. Hard to get rid of because it can be so prolific. Although seeds are heavy, the plant pops them in the air on breezy days and they go flying!!! First plant I really hate, and I grow a lot of things people generally don't like....! |
Negative | On Mar 20, 2011, mudhazerustsalt from Salt Lake City, UT wrote: This plant is awful. Do not be tantalized by it's ease of growth and interesting look. |
Negative | On Aug 9, 2010, pirl from (Arlene) Southold, NY (Zone 7a) wrote: Because of the many warnings about the sap I did wear gloves and had the trash bag at my side. I disposed of the cut back plant but some sap obviously must have fallen on other nearby plants I was trimming. |
Negative | On May 30, 2010, MachTurtle from Denver, CO wrote: Absolutely **erradicate** this weed but think twice about doing it by hand. I'm going to use pesticide. |
Negative | On May 12, 2010, IPM from Boulder, CO wrote: THIS PLANT IS A LIST-A NOXIOUS INVASIVE WEED IN COLORADO AND IS STATE MANDATED FOR ERADICATION. IT IS ILLEAGAL TO SELL OR CULTIVATE THIS PLANT IN THE STATE OF COLORADO. HAVING THIS PLANT ON YOUR PROPERTY CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FINES EXCEEDING 1000$. REGARDLESS OF WHICH STATE YOU LIVE IN I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT NO ONE OBTAIN THIS PLANT, AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE IT SHOULD BE REMOVED AND BAGGED. |
Neutral | On Apr 6, 2010, tisabira from Muskogee, OK wrote: I bought a small plant on Saturday and dropped it home before continuing my shopping. I know I touched the plant, although there wasn't any sap leaking from it. During my shopping, my left cheek started to itch and I later broke out into a small rash on that side. it seems I may have been fortunate to get away with so little! |
Neutral | On Apr 21, 2009, jeff0452 from Rio Rancho, NM wrote: I was given a couple of these in the fall of last year by a friend, who described them as a self-seeding foliage plant. I wasn't sure if they would establish themselves enough to make it through the winter, since I was planting them so late. I was pleased to see this spring that they not only started growing, but even had small yellow flowers, which developed little orange centers! (I hadn't looked at all the photos on this site yet, so I wasn't expecting flowers.) The shape of the leaves does add interest to the garden. When I was planting them, I did handle the outer surfaces of the plants, but no sap since nothing broke. No allergic reactions so far, but as far as I can remember, my friend and I have not come in contact with the sap yet. |
Negative | On Oct 9, 2008, jenmomof3 from Bellingham, WA wrote: WARNING: do not plant this plant and remove all from your yard. My kids were playing outside in our maturely landscaped yard. Playing make believe they picked this plant and used it for play. The next morning my son woke up, his eyes swollen almost shut, face swollen and completely red with exception to creases around his nose, large blisters on his chin, forehead and cheeks. We thought he was having an allergic reaction to a plant....it really was a severe contact dermatitis. Please see above posting for how to remove it and please do not plant it!! It is listed as a noxious weed. |
Positive | On Aug 16, 2008, Bellafleur from Holland, MA (Zone 5a) wrote: ok, i can understand how people can say that this plant is invasive but here in my yard in Holland MA i would not consider it invasive. Maybe because the majority of the land here is hard soil , clay soil with sand. i dont know. It has taken over 8 years for this plant to produce a few small colonies of maybe 5-6 plants each. They are easy to dig up and remove. i have had that milky substance on my hands and even went without washing my hands for a few hours. I did not know about the threat it has. But im starting to wonder if people are just allergic to it and im not? ive handled this plant many times bare handed and had no problem. watch...now that i said it.... NOOO...not gonna go there. I do love the look of this plant. it can easily be dead headed, though, i have never done it. ... read more |
Neutral | On Jul 9, 2008, suewylan from North Fork, CA (Zone 7b) wrote: I love this plant a lot less today. |
Negative | On Oct 26, 2007, JuanaWonder from Indianapolis, IN (Zone 5a) wrote: I purchased this plant at a local garden center last spring. It did not have an identification tag. I have enjoyed it immensely. BUT, yesterday I picked off a few stems. A milky substance dripped on my hands. I immediately washed my hands thoroughly! Later in the day I felt like I have a jalapeño burn on my lips. Several hours later my whole face was on fire! Today I look like and feel like I have been burnt. I know I did not rub this stuff on all over my face. This stuff is treacherous. It took me a few hours to research this plant. I think I will be more careful in my new plant choice in the future. I plan on telling the local garden center what I found. This is a great web site. ...glad I found it. |
Positive | On May 12, 2007, PhilsFlowers from Ocean Park, Surrey, BC (Zone 6b) wrote: A friend gave me a small E. myrsinites to plant in an area under a porch roof in complete shade to cover a low, poorly constructed concrete wall. It did this job amazingly well in spite of the fact it is not mat-forming. It flowers and probably does produce seeds but I have never seen one. We get gale-force winds here in the coastal area of southern B.C. so I frequently have to untangle its branches. I never knew that this was harmful to skin because I never suffered any ill-effects. If the wind did break or damage a stem, I just cut it back. I love the colour and the unusualness of this plant and was sorry to learn it was such a 'weed' elsewhere. |
Negative | On Apr 28, 2007, RockabillyKitty from Centennial, CO (Zone 5b) wrote: Myrtle Spurge is not native to Colorado, but was brought here for ornamental planting. |
Negative | On Apr 23, 2007, Holmberg from Colorado Springs, This plant should not be available for sale in Colorado. It is a primary noxious weed. |
Negative | On Jul 6, 2006, marlow from Salt Lake City, UT wrote: Please, please, do not plant this horrible invasive weed in Utah. This stuff is ruining the foothills along the Wasatch Front. It takes over entire hillsides choking out our wonderful native foliage. If you have it in your yard, rip it out today. It will soon be too late to stop this environmental disaster. |
Negative | On Nov 25, 2004, caron from Woodland Park, CO (Zone 4b) wrote: Colorado Class A Noxious Weed. Mandatory eradication. |
Positive | On Jul 8, 2004, daryl from vernon, BC (Zone 6a) wrote: I ALSO LIVE IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY OF B.C., INTERESTING PLANT TO VIEW .MADE THE ERROR OF NOT CUTTING OFF THE FLOWER HEADS ONE YEAR,MASSIVE SELF SEEDER ,BE CAREFUL.SEEDLINGS THOUGH ARE EASY TO CONTROL. |
Negative | On May 21, 2004, jennifergo from Fort Collins, CO wrote: I am a Weed Specialist in Colorado and this plant is a disaster. It is now one of the top proiroties on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed List for eradication. It is highly toxic, invasive, and illegal. Please don't market this plant to folks in the western US! |
Positive | On May 2, 2004, sp wrote: I have grown this plant in the southern interior of BC (zone 4) on the sunny south side of my house. It grows extremely fast and requires little or no upkeep. It is a great ground cover for hot/dry locations. |
Positive | On Apr 4, 2004, henryr10 from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) wrote: We have it growing in partial shade in a very dry bed full of Maple roots and find it very well behaved. |
Positive | On Mar 8, 2004, sue1952 from Utica, MI wrote: In SE Michigan - makes a great addition to a dry, sunny spot. Has not been invasive for me - but I trim the flowers before they go to seed. It is low growing and would be great for a rock garden too. |
Negative | On Jun 3, 2003, skylittle wrote: Previous comments have noted the toxcity. Note that we all may have different sensitivities. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS PLANT. I had a severe reaction after cutting some of the plants. I washed my hands immediately afterwards but then used a paper towel to dry my hands. Then I used the same towel to wipe the sweat from my face and forehead. My first symptoms (in about two hours) were burning lips and tongue (like I'd eaten a spicy meal). Within four hours the underside of my nose was painful to the touch. By the next morning my face was numb and swollen. Within the next day these facial areas began peeling like I had a bad sunburn. Reports in Colorado actually indicate that school kids have learned that they can get out of school by rubbing some of the plant's latex material on their fa... read more |
Negative | On Jul 29, 2002, AnitaB wrote: This is a beautiful plant. However, the milky sap causes quite a nasty dermatitis. I came in contact with some this afternoon and must have touched my face because I am developing painful blisters. This has been reported on other web sites. Also, the plant is toxic if ingested. So wear gloves if handling this plant and if you get any sap on your hands, wash them immediately. |
Negative | On Jul 16, 2002, mandarin wrote: I have seen this plant be extremely invasive. It completely overtook my neighbors garden and in such large numbers the plant is not very attractive. If you have the plant, work hard to contain it so this doesn't happen to you. |
Neutral | On Sep 11, 2001, Joy from Kalama, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: Also called Donkey tail spurge,Creeping spurge. |