Myrtle spurge
Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.
Euphorbia myrsinites
Colorado List A — Eradicate. S14
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.
Poisonous · Eye & skin injury. Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. Exposure help.
Still researching this plant
This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for Other animals. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.
Three views of this plant
Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.
Flocci Nivis · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Qwertzy2 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Syrio · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.
Recognize
Trailing fleshy stems, spiraled blue-green leaves, and yellow-green spring bracts. Previously sold as an ornamental. S13 S14 S15
Plants & habitat
Spreads aggressively by seed. Colorado’s List A goal is eradication; do not select it for a xeriscape garden. S13 S15 S27
People
Sap can cause severe dermatitis and damage the eye’s cornea. All parts are poisonous if eaten; avoid skin and eye contact. S14 S15
Dogs & cats
Keep pets away from the poisonous plant and its irritating sap. NC State specifically flags problems for dogs and cats. S15
Other animals
Species-specific livestock effects are not detailed in the references used here. Do not treat that evidence gap as clearance for grazing. S14 S15
Before taking action
Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. S27
References
- S14 — Myrtle Spurge, Jefferson County, Colorado. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:54+00:00. Locator: List A designation; General; Plant.
- S13 — Myrtle spurge, Colorado Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-06. Locator: Species description.
- S15 — Euphorbia myrsinites, NC State Extension · Plant Toolbox. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:54+00:00. Locator: Description; Poisonous to Humans; Problems.
- 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.