Eggleaf Spurge

General: Eggleaf spurge is a perennial herb in the spurge (euphorbiaceae) family.

Flowers: Yellow bracts with a whorl of green leaves underneath. There are several male flowers and one female flower which grow in clusters at the end of stems.

Stem: Are about 6 cm long, smooth, egg-shaped and finely toothed. The leaves have a prominent midvein, and are green to yellow-green.

Leaves: Eggleaf spurge grows up to 1 m tall and can produce up to 20 stems. The stems are covered in fine white hairs and turn red as the plant matures (July to October)

Fruit: Seed pods are three-lobed capsules which are green and sticky. They will eject the seeds when ripe.

Roots: Woody, branched and large taproot.

Eggleaf spurge is native to Turkey and Southeast Europe. It was introduced to North America as a garden ornamental, but it has since escaped cultivation.

Eggleaf spurge is drought-tolerant, though it grows best in moist conditions. It typically grows in damp meadows, streambanks, shady woodlands, dry hillsides or waste areas.

Eggleaf spurge reproduces both by seed and vegetatively. Its root crown can produce new stems, roots and buds.

Eggleaf spurge seedpods will eject their seeds when ripe. The seeds are covered in a tacky substance that helps them stick onto clothing, pets, equipment and vehicles. The seeds are spread mainly by wildlife, humans and machinery. Eggleaf spurge is also sometimes sold as an ornamental, despite being designated as a provincially noxious weed on the BC Weed Control Act.