Cypress Spurge

Cypress spurge plants.

Cypress Spurge


Euphorbia cyarissias

Information Sheet for Cypress spurge(PDF) 


Colorado List A - Eradication required in Jefferson County


General

  • Has been sold as an ornamental
  • Introduced from Europe
  • Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae)


Common names

  • Graveyard-Moss
  • Quack-Salver's-Spurge
  • Squib-Knocket
  • Welcome-To-Our-Home


Habitat

  • Can be found in pastures, graveyards and along roadways
  • Dry, sandy soil
  • Herbaceous
  • Perennial


Plant


Vegetation

  • Leaves are narrow and linear, approximately 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches long and 1/8 inch wide
  • Mature plants are 4 to 32 inches tall
  • Plant has a milky sap that irritates the skin
  • Stems are smooth with green to yellowish-green foliage


Roots

  • Deep vertical roots
  • Horizontal roots produce colonies


Flower

  • Season: March to July
  • Turn bright orange-red in early summer
  • Yellow-green bracts surround the inconspicuous flowers


Seed

  • Seed thrown up to 15 feet from exploding capsule


Seedling

  • Seedling leaves similar in shape to mature leaves, except smaller
  • Upper surface covered with white powdery granules


Reproduction

  • Seed
  • Lateral root buds


Control


Biological

  • None


Chemical


Cultural

  • Intensive tilling combined with herbicide treatment
  • Prevention - maintain health of site


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A
  • Mowing - N/A


More Information


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.

 Treatment Timeline


JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
Control











Removal


Remove all plant parts

Herbicide











Growth











Vegetative











Flowering











Seed