Cypress spurge
Warning
Toxic to humans, livestock and wildlife when consumed, or when its sap (latex) contacts skin. The sap causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when eaten. It can cause blindness if it gets in people’s eyes and skin contact causes redness, swelling and blisters.
About This Species
Cypress spurge was grown as an ornamental but has since escaped into the wild. It prefers sun but tolerates shade as well. It can be found growing in open, disturbed sites like meadows, pastures, and roadsides. It grows quickly and aggressively, releasing chemicals from its roots which stop other plants growing near it. This helps it crowd out native species.
How to Identify
Cypress spurge can be 10 – 60 cm tall with thin, waxy, blue-green leaves 2.5 – 3 cm long that spiral around the stem. The flowers are yellow to green and turn red at maturity.
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Spurges Factsheet -
If you need advice about invasive species on your property or you are concerned about reported invasives in your local area, contact your local municipality or regional invasive species organization.
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A few non-invasive alternatives to plant instead of Cypress spurge include:
- Broad-leaf stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium)
- Yellow ice plant (Delosperma nubigenum)
- Red hot poker (Kniphofia spp. and hybrids)
- Common rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium)
- Yellow gem shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa ‘Yellow Gem’)
