Euphorbia myrsinites

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Euphorbia myrsinites, the myrtle spurge, [1] blue spurge, [1] or broad-leaved glaucous-spurge, [2] is a succulent species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae.

Contents

Euphorbia myrsinites
MyrtleSpurge.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. myrsinites
Binomial name
Euphorbia myrsinites
L.

Distribution

The plant is native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, from Italy east through the Balkans to Crimea and Turkey. [3] [1]

Etymology

The specific epithet myrsinites is derived from the Greek word μυρσινίτης (myrsinites), which was used in Dioscorides's De Materia Medica to describe its similarity to μυρσίνη (myrsine), aka myrtle ( Myrtus communis ). [4] [5]

Description

Myrtle spurge is an evergreen perennial. It has sprawling stems growing to 20–40 cm long. The leaves are spirally arranged, fleshy, pale glaucous bluish-green, 1–2 cm long. The flowers are inconspicuous, but surrounded by bright sulphur-yellow bracts (tinged red in the cultivar 'Washfield'); they are produced during the spring. [6]

Plants spread primarily by seed and are capable of projecting seed up to 15 feet. [7]

Toxicity

The plant's milky sap can cause significant skin and eye irritation in humans and may cause blindness with contact with the eyes. The plant causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested. [8] Goggles, gloves and protective gear is often used when removing plants. Children are more susceptible than adults to symptoms from myrtle spurge, suggesting play areas not in proximity to the species. Pets can have similar reactions to myrtle spurge sap exposure.

Cultivation

Euphorbia myrsinites is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its distinctive silver-gray foliage, and is used in garden borders, 'modernist' mass plantings, and as a potted plant. It is planted in drought tolerant gardens in California and other dry climates.

In the United Kingdom, the cultivated plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [9] [10]

Noxious weed

Euphorbia myrsinites is identified as a noxious weed and/or invasive species in some regions.

Control

Physical control
Small infestations can be controlled through multiple years of digging up at least 4" of the root. Myrtle spurge is best controlled in the spring when the soil is moist and prior to seed production. Make sure to dispose of all the plant parts in the garbage instead of composting. [15]
Chemical control
Myrtle spurge can be effectively controlled with products containing 2, 4-D and dicamba (i.e. Weed B Gon) applied in late fall. [16]
Biological control
There are currently no known bio-controls, though the leafy spurge flea beetle (Aphthona), has had a high survival rate on myrtle spurge in laboratory studies. [17]

Related Research Articles

<i>Euphorbia</i> Genus of flowering plants in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae. "Euphorbia" is sometimes used in ordinary English to collectively refer to all members of Euphorbiaceae, not just to members of the genus.

<i>Euphorbia mellifera</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia mellifera, the Canary spurge or honey spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is an evergreen shrub or tree growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and broad, with narrow leaves up to 20 cm (8 in) long. In spring it produces brown, honey-scented flowers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weed control</span> Botanical component of pest control for plants

Weed control is a type of pest control, which attempts to stop or reduce growth of weeds, especially noxious weeds, with the aim of reducing their competition with desired flora and fauna including domesticated plants and livestock, and in natural settings preventing non native species competing with native species.

<i>Aphthona</i> Genus of beetles

Aphthona is a genus of beetle, in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and Asia. More specifically, Aphthona are flea beetles, meaning they have enlarged hind legs for jumping away from potential danger. There are some 300 species known worldwide.

<i>Euphorbia cyparissias</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia cyparissias, the cypress spurge, is a species of plant in the genus Euphorbia. It is native to Europe and was introduced to North America in the 1860s as an ornamental plant.

<i>Ranunculus acris</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus acris is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, and is one of the more common buttercups across Europe and temperate Eurasia. Common names include meadow buttercup, tall buttercup, common buttercup and giant buttercup.

<i>Euphorbia lathyris</i> Flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia lathyris, the caper spurge or paper spurge, is a species of spurge native to southern Europe, northwest Africa, and eastward through southwest Asia to western China.

<i>Euphorbia peplus</i> Species of plant

Euphorbia peplus, is a species of Euphorbia, native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, where it typically grows in cultivated arable land, gardens and other disturbed land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noxious weed</span> Harmful or invasive weed

A noxious weed, harmful weed or injurious weed is a weed that has been designated by an agricultural or other governing authority as a plant that is injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock. Most noxious weeds have been introduced into an ecosystem by ignorance, mismanagement, or accident. Some noxious weeds are native. Typically they are plants that grow aggressively, multiply quickly without natural controls, and display adverse effects through contact or ingestion. Noxious weeds are a large problem in many parts of the world, greatly affecting areas of agriculture, forest management, nature reserves, parks and other open space.

<i>Euphorbia margalidiana</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia margalidiana is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, endemic to the Balearic Islands, where its natural habitats are Mediterranean Matorral shrubland vegetation and rocky shores. An evergreen perennial or subshrub growing to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall and broad, It bears yellow-green flowers over a long period in the summer. It is particularly valued in cultivation for its tolerance of a wide range of conditions, including drought. Though hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F) it grows best in mild areas.

Aphthona abdominalis is a species of leaf beetle known as the minute spurge flea beetle. It was used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed leafy spurge, but never established a viable population.

Aphthona czwalinae is a species of leaf beetle known as the black leafy spurge flea beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed leafy spurge.

<i>Euphorbia epithymoides</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia epithymoides, the cushion spurge, syn. E. polychroma, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to Libya, Turkey and East, Middle, and Southeast Europe. It is a compact, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial growing to 45 cm (18 in), bearing terminal cymes of acid yellow flower-heads (cyathia) in spring and summer.

<i>Euphorbia palustris</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia palustris, the marsh spurge or marsh euphorbia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to marshland throughout much of mainland Europe and western Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall and wide, with narrow leaves turning red and yellow in autumn, and persistent, bright acid yellow flower-heads (cyathia), 15 cm (6 in) across, in spring.

<i>Euphorbia rigida</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia rigida, the gopher spurge or upright myrtle spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to southern Europe and southwest Asia. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and broad, it is a bushy evergreen perennial with somewhat fleshy leaves arranged in a spiral, bearing bunches of bright yellow flowers in late Spring.

<i>Euphorbia characias</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia characias, the Mediterranean spurge or Albanian spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae typical of the Mediterranean vegetation. It is an upright, compact evergreen shrub growing to 1.2 m tall and wide.

<i>Euphorbia ceratocarpa</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia ceratocarpa is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to the Island of Sicily and southern Italy. Growing to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) tall and wide, it is an evergreen perennial or subshrub bearing long, narrow leaves with a prominent white midrib, and clusters of green and yellow flowers in summer. The flowering period may be extended in favourable locations. It is valued in cultivation for its vivid flowers, and its ability to survive drought conditions. Though hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F) it is seen at its best in a warm, sheltered position. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Euphorbia <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> martini</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia × martini, or Martin’s spurge, is a hybrid between two species of flowering plant, E. amygdaloides × E. characias subsp. characias in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. It was found growing wild in southern France. Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and broad, it is a dwarf evergreen subshrub with narrow grey-green leaves and in late spring and early summer, sprays of lime green flowers, often with a red or maroon eye. It is useful as a spreading, weed-smothering groundcover. Though hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), it is a Mediterranean plant best grown in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil in full sun.

<i>Euphorbia virgata</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia virgata, commonly known as leafy spurge, wolf's milk leafy spurge, or wolf's milk is a species of spurge native to Europe and Asia, and introduced in North America, where it is an invasive species.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Euphorbia myrsinites". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. Flora Europaea: Euphorbia myrsinites
  4. Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants (4th ed.). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 268. ISBN   978-0-511-47376-0.
  5. Dioscorides, Pedanius (2000). De Materia Medica. South Africa: IBIDIS Press cc. p. 722. ISBN   978-0-620-23435-1.
  6. Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN   0-333-47494-5
  7. "Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet" (PDF). Salt Lake County Weed Control Program. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  8. "WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN" (PDF). Asotin County Noxious Weed Control Board.
  9. "Euphorbia myrsinites AGM". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  10. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 38. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  11. Myrtle Spurge
  12. Colorado Noxious Weed Act, CRS § 35-5.5-101 et seq.; Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, 8 CCR 1206-2 § 3.1.
  13. Oregon State-listed Noxious Weeds
  14. "Salt Lake County Weeds". Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  15. "Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet" (PDF). Salt Lake County Weed Control Program. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  16. "Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet" (PDF). Salt Lake County Weed Control Program. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  17. "Myrtle Spurge". ODA Plant Programs, Noxious Weed Control.