Native Plant Alternatives to Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge)

Euphorbia cyparissias, also known as Cypress spurge, is considered invasive in many parts of North America. It is a perennial plant native to Europe and was introduced to North America as an ornamental plant.

Cypress Spurge is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

This species is particularly problematic because it can rapidly form dense mats that exclude native vegetation, altering the structure and function of the ecosystems it invades. It is most often found in open areas such as grasslands, meadows, fields, and open forests, but it can also invade lawns and gardens.

One of the reasons that Cypress spurge is so difficult to control is that it releases a toxic, milky sap when damaged. This sap can cause skin irritation in humans and is harmful if ingested by wildlife or livestock. Additionally, the plant can reproduce both by seed and by creeping underground roots, which allows it to recover quickly from disturbances such as mowing or grazing.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.