Q: I bought a plant about ten years ago called Donkey Spurge. Someone told me it is now considered a noxious weed. Is this true, and if so, what should I do?

A: Plants designated “noxious weeds” are invasive, aggressive, difficult to control and have a negative effect on our native landscape, crops or livestock. They may also carry detrimental insects, parasites or disease. Colorado’s “Ten Most Wanted” noxious weed list includes bindweed, Canadian thistle and leafy spurge. Often, like purple loosestrife and donkey spurge, they are non-natives introduced as ornamental plants for the garden and are later designated noxious weeds.

Donkey spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites), also known as myrtle spurge, was promoted and sold as an ornamental perennial for several years before being designated a noxious weed. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to eliminate once established. You may have tried to contain or control it, only to find it “pop up” somewhere else in your landscape. It reproduces by seeds that it can project up to 15 feet away from the parent plant. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to eight years. You may also have noticed when trying to pull it up that it produces a milky sap that can cause skin irritations.

Donkey spurge is a Colorado List A noxious weed, which is the highest priority for eradication. It rapidly escapes gardens and out-competes native vegetation which provides forage for wildlife. Eliminating donkey spurge requires intensive and persistent efforts over many years. Control methods include pulling plants by hand (wear gloves and eye protection) when soil is moist to get the entire root or applying specific chemical products. Any control method will have to be performed persistently over years until the weed is completely eliminated.

If you have donkey spurge in your landscape and want to replace it, try planting sulphur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) or Kinnickinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).

Consider contacting the county weed supervisor or Extension office for further information and assistance in eliminating noxious weeds. To determine whether you have any other noxious weeds on your property, you can visit www.colorado.gov and type in noxious weeds to see photographs and descriptions of other Colorado noxious weeds.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  August 5, 2008