Cypress Spurge

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

• Information Sheet (PDF) 

Cultural

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

Mechanical

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

More Information

• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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