What is Spurge?

Spurge is a type of weed that invades lawns and gardens during the warm season. While most species have tiny leaves and stems that give a rather delicate, harmless look, spurge plants can seriously harm people and pets due to a toxic milky sap.

Different types of spurge

The spurge genus (Euphorbia) covers over 2,000 species, from creeping herbs to cacti-like succulents, shrubs, and even small trees. However, for the average Joe who strives to keep a weed-free lawn, “spurge” mostly brings to mind a handful of nasty low-growing species that infest turf and gardens whenever they get the chance:

• Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata)
• Creeping spurge (Euphorbia serpens) 
• Prostrate spurge (Euphorbia prostrata), also known as ground spurge weed

All three culprits are summer annual weeds with a creeping habit and similar enough to see they’re relatives. Here’s what these common types of spurge weeds look like:

• A central tap root digs deep into the ground and all the plant stems grow outward from it.
• Spurge stems and leaves form dense, lacy networks that spread in wheel-like mats close to the soil. 
• The leaves are egg-shaped, small and flat and grow in opposite pairs on the stems. The spotted spurge has a maroon-reddish spot in the middle of the central leaf vein. 
• During summer, they produce tiny, white to pinkish flowers.

Other spurge varieties that are working hard to gain a spot in the top nasty spurge weeds across the United States include:

Some species (cypress spurge, myrtle spurge, flowering spurge) are sometimes planted as drought-tolerant ground covers or ornamentals and can escape the gardens through their tiny seeds.

Spurge is invasive in the U.S. 

Spurges germinate in spring once the soil temperature rises above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. These weeds grow fast and are very prolific. Experts at the Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension say spotted spurge can flower and seed in just over a month in good conditions, spreading thousands of seeds that can germinate immediately.

While some species enjoy shade and moisture, most spurge plants are drought-tolerant, and grow best with lots of sunlight and heat. They have deep tap roots that dig into the soil for nutrients and moisture, helping them thrive in difficult conditions where other plants, including turf, fail. 

You’ll find spurge mats in poor, hard, dry soil along walkways that heat up during summer, wherever there are cracks in the pavement, and on thinned and bare patches in the lawn. 

To get rid of spurge in your lawn:

• Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in late winter or early spring
• Use solarization or mulch to prevent germination
• Hand-weed every two weeks
• Spread a post-emergent herbicide during its growing season

Spurge sap is toxic and can cause blindness

In March 2021, two preschoolers ended up in the emergency room after they picked myrtle spurge during a class nature walk in Salt Lake City, Utah. One girl, age 4, endured painfully swollen eyelids and blisters on her face and hands. Several others had allergic reactions.

All spurge species release a milky white sap with various degrees of toxicity when cut. The milky latex can cause:

• Redness, painful swelling, and blisters if in contact with the skin.
• Redness, irritation, blurred vision, and temporary blindness if in contact with the eyes.
• Irritation and burning sensation of lips, mouth, and throat if the plant is chewed.
• Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting if parts of the plant are ingested. 

While toxicity varies among species, it’s best to always work with gloves when removing spurge plants and keep children aware and away. 

Spurge can be mistaken for purslane

At first glance, the low-growing spurge looks similar to common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), an edible low-growing weed known as a super food for its high content of Omega-3, vitamin C, potassium, iron and antioxidants. This is a dangerous resemblance since spurge is toxic if ingested.

Fortunately, a closer inspection reveals enough differences between spurge and purslane to distinguish the two. The most important of which is the milky sap present in spurge stems and absent in purslane which has a clear, watery sap.

Note: Never eat a plant you’re not sure of. Take a sample to the local Extension Office for identification, look for it in books or search online in specialized databases such as: Food Plants International, or Plants for a Future. Use more than two sources.

Spurge has medicinal properties

What is spurge used for? Some varieties of spurge have medicinal properties. For example, garden spurge (E. hirta), sometimes called the asthma plant, can be used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.

It is also helpful in gastrointestinal diseases and has shown potential as an antiviral against the poliovirus, HIV, dengue virus and COVID-19.

Let the pros purge the spurge

Keep the lawn safe for your family and pets. Find a trusted weed control professional with Lawn Love and have all the nasty weeds removed from your yard.

Main Photo Credit: orestligetka | Adobe Stock Free | License

Sinziana Spiridon

Sinziana Spiridon is an outdoorsy blog writer with a green thumb and a passion for organic gardening. When not writing about weeds, pests, soil, and growing plants, she's tending to her veggie garden and the lovely turf strip in her front yard.

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