Euphorbia myrsinites

Euphorbia myrsinites
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily:	Euphorbioideae
Tribe:	Euphorbieae
Subtribe:	Euphorbiinae
Genus:	Euphorbia
Species:	E. myrsinites
Binomial name
Euphorbia myrsinites L.

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge, also known as Creeping Spurge or "donkey tail"), is a succulent species of spurge (family Euphorbiaceae), native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor from Italy east through the Balkans to the Crimea and Turkey.^[1][2]

It is a herbaceous perennial plant with sprawling stems growing to 20-40 cm long. The leaves are spirally arranged, fleshy, pale glaucous bluish-green, 1-2 cm long. The flowers are inconspicuous, but surrounded by bright sulphur-yellow bracts (tinged red in the cultivar 'Washfield'); they are produced during the spring.^[3]

Although sometimes grown as a decorative plant in gardens, particularly valued in xeriscaping in dry areas, myrtle spurge is often considered noxious, and is invasive in some regions. Its cultivation is illegal in the U.S. state of Colorado.^[4] Myrtle spurge is classified as a noxious weed in the U.S. state of Oregon, subject to quarantine. ^[5] The milky sap can cause significant skin and eye irritations.

References

1. ^ Flora Europaea: Euphorbia myrsinites
2. ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Euphorbia myrsinites
3. ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN 0-333-47494-5
4. ^ Myrtle Spurge
5. ^ Oregon State-listed Noxious Weeds