{{short description|Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae}} {{Speciesbox | image = Euphorbia myrsinites sl6.jpg | genus = Euphorbia | species = myrsinites | authority = L. (1753) | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = *''Euphorbia myrsinites'' subsp. ''myrsinites'' *''Euphorbia myrsinites'' subsp. ''rechingeri'' {{small|(Greuter) Aldén}} | subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>{{cite web |title=''Euphorbia myrsinites'' L. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:347445-1 |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> | synonyms = *''Endoisila myrsinites'' {{small|(L.) Raf. (1838)}} *''Euphorbion myrsinitum'' {{small|(L.) St.-Lag. (1880)}} *''Galarhoeus myrsinites'' {{small|(L.) Haw. (1812)}} *''Murtekias myrsinites'' {{small|(L.) Raf. (1838)}} *''Tithymalus myrsinites'' {{small|(L.) Hill (1768)}} | synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo/> }}

'''''Euphorbia myrsinites''''', the '''myrtle spurge''',<ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | accessdate = 12 January 2018}}</ref> '''blue spurge''',<ref name=GRIN/> or '''broad-leaved glaucous-spurge''',<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref> is a succulent species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae.

==Distribution== The plant is native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, from the Balearic Islands and Italy east through the Balkans to Crimea, Turkey,<ref name=flora>''Flora Europaea'': [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Euphorbia+&SPECIES_XREF=myrsinites&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= ''Euphorbia myrsinites'']</ref><ref name=GRIN/> the Caucasus, and Iran.<ref name = powo/>

==Etymology== The specific epithet ''myrsinites'' is derived from the Greek word {{lang|el|μυρσινίτης}} (''myrsinites''), which was used in Dioscorides's ''De Materia Medica'' to describe its similarity to {{lang|el|μυρσίνη}} (''myrsine''), aka myrtle (''Myrtus communis'').<ref>{{cite book|last=Gledhill|first=David|title=The Names of Plants|edition=4th|year=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-511-47376-0|pages=268}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Dioscorides|first=Pedanius|title=De Materia Medica|year=2000|publisher=IBIDIS Press cc|location=South Africa|isbn=978-0-620-23435-1|pages=722}}</ref>

==Description== Myrtle spurge is an evergreen perennial. It has sprawling stems growing to 20–40&nbsp;cm long. The leaves are spirally arranged, fleshy, pale glaucous bluish-green, 1–2&nbsp;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.<ref name="rhs">Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}</ref>

Plants spread primarily by seed and are capable of projecting seed up to 15 feet.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet|url=http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|publisher=Salt Lake County Weed Control Program|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-date=5 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705064822/http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Toxicity=== The plant's milky sap can cause significant skin and eye irritation in humans and may cause blindness with contact with the eyes. The plant causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN|url=https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2061/2014/01/NoxiousWeedManagementPlan1.pdf|access-date=|website=Asotin County Noxious Weed Control Board}}</ref> Goggles, gloves and protective gear is often used when removing plants. Children are more susceptible than adults to symptoms from myrtle spurge, suggesting play areas not in proximity to the species. Pets can have similar reactions to myrtle spurge sap exposure.

==Subspecies== Two subspecies are accepted.<ref name = powo/> *''Euphorbia myrsinites'' subsp. ''myrsinites'' – southern Europe to Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran *''Euphorbia myrsinites'' subsp. ''rechingeri'' {{small|(Greuter) Aldén}} (synonym ''Euphorbia rechingeri'' {{small|Greuter}}) – Crete

==Cultivation== ''Euphorbia myrsinites'' is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its distinctive silver-gray foliage, and is used in garden borders, 'modernist' mass plantings, and as a potted plant. It is planted in drought tolerant gardens in California and other dry climates.

In the United Kingdom, the cultivated plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Euphorbia myrsinites'' AGM|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/7073/Euphorbia-myrsinites/Details |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 38 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 25 February 2018}}</ref>

==Noxious weed== ''Euphorbia myrsinites'' is identified as a noxious weed and/or invasive species in some regions.

* Its cultivation is illegal in the U.S. state of Colorado, where it is classified as a Class A noxious weed, and landowners are legally required to eradicate it.<ref>[https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/species-id Myrtle Spurge]</ref><ref>Colorado Noxious Weed Act, CRS § 35-5.5-101 ''et seq.''; Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, 8 CCR 1206-2 § 3.1.</ref>

* Myrtle spurge is also classified as a noxious weed in the U.S. state of Oregon, subject to quarantine.<ref>[https://www.oregon.gov/oda/weeds/oregon-noxious-weeds/pages/default.aspx Oregon State-listed Noxious Weeds]</ref>

* It was listed as a noxious weed in Salt Lake County, Utah in 2007, and since has been illegal for sale within the county.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weeds.slco.org/html/weedInfo/id/myrtleSpurge.html |title=Salt Lake County Weeds |access-date=2012-03-31 |archive-date=2012-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113054912/http://www.weeds.slco.org/html/weedInfo/id/myrtleSpurge.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Salt Lake County landowners and land managers are legally responsible to contain, control, or eradicate the species on their property. The Utah Native Plant Society has also formally recommended it be listed as a Utah state noxious weed.

===Control=== ;Physical control: Small infestations can be controlled through multiple years of digging up at least 4" of the root. Myrtle spurge is best controlled in the spring when the soil is moist and prior to seed production. Make sure to dispose of all the plant parts in the garbage instead of composting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet|url=http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|publisher=Salt Lake County Weed Control Program|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-date=5 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705064822/http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Chemical control: Myrtle spurge can be effectively controlled with products containing 2, 4-D and dicamba (i.e. Weed B Gon) applied in late fall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myrtle Spurge Fact Sheet|url=http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|publisher=Salt Lake County Weed Control Program|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-date=5 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705064822/http://www.weeds.slco.org/pdf/MyrtleSpurge.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Biological control: There are currently no known bio-controls, though the leafy spurge flea beetle (Aphthona), has had a high survival rate on myrtle spurge in laboratory studies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myrtle Spurge|url=http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/pages/profile_myrtlespurge.aspx|publisher=ODA Plant Programs, Noxious Weed Control}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Euphorbia myrsinites|position=left}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2305124}}

myrsinites Category:Flora of the Balearic Islands Category:Flora of the Caucasus Category:Flora of the Crimean Peninsula Category:Flora of Iran Category:Flora of Southeastern Europe Category:Flora of Turkey Category:Flora of Ukraine Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Garden plants of Europe Category:Drought-tolerant plants