Cypress spurge
Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.
Euphorbia cyparissias
Colorado noxious weed · List A — Eradicate. CO-rules-2025
Uncommon in Colorado. All populations are designated for eradication statewide. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. Category source · What the lists mean.
Sap can injure skin and eyes. Exposure help.
Still researching this plant
This is a sourced working profile. The cited findings are available below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.
Three views of this plant
Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.
Tom Scavo · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
iNaturalist large server-resized image; no local crop, colour change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Tom Scavo · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
iNaturalist large server-resized image; no local crop, colour change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Tom Scavo · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
iNaturalist large server-resized image; no local crop, colour change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Recognize
A low perennial with crowded, needle-like leaves and yellow-green flower bracts. Do not snap stems to test for milky sap. N-euphorbia-cyparissias
Plants & habitat
Rhizomes and seed build dense colonies that can overrun neighboring vegetation. N-euphorbia-cyparissias
People
Latex can cause dermatitis, mouth injury and serious corneal damage. Protect skin and eyes during handling. N-euphorbia-cyparissias
Dogs & cats
NC State flags dogs and cats and advises keeping pets away. This is not a pet-specific dose assessment. N-euphorbia-cyparissias
Other animals
The source reports potential toxicity to cattle and horses. N-euphorbia-cyparissias
Before taking action
Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. S27
This is a statewide eradication priority. Contact your county weed program promptly for identification and an approved management and disposal plan. CO-rules-2025
References
- CO-rules-2025 — Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2, Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- N-euphorbia-cyparissias — euphorbia cyparissias — Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:04:51+00:00. Locator: Description; Attributes; Problems; Poisonous to Humans.
- S27 — 2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds, PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.