DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Cypress spurge cyparissias

Victorian Alert Weed Fact Sheet biology Type of weed: Garden escape/agricultural. Lifeform: Semi-woody perennial forb/herb. Description: Stems: Stems are erect, smooth and green to yellowish green in colour, joined at the base and branching higher up. Mature grow to 500 mm tall, whilst young seedlings resemble young conifers, hence the name “cypress spurge”. Stems contain a milky white latex sap which they exude when damaged. Leaves: The leaves are narrow, stalkless (attach directly to the stem) and the same greenish- yellow as the stems. Leaves are long (5-30 mm) and narrow (only 1-3 mm wide) resembling Image: Dr Amadej Trnkoczy Image: Dr Amadej Trnkoczy those of a small conifer. Flowers: Sweet scented fl owers bunch in Botanical name: Euphorbia cyparissias. clusters at the tips of each branch and vary Synonyms: Euphorbia virgata, Galarhoes cyparissias, Tithymalus in colour from lime green and yellow, turning cyparissias. purple as they mature. Tiny reproductive fl ower Common name: Cypress spurge. parts are surrounded by two oval to heart- Alternatives: Cemetery spurge, Irish moss, dead-man’s spurge. shaped (-like leaves). Plants usually Family: . fl ower in late spring, but can fl ower again in late Relevant relatives: The are an enormous group of summer. plants covering more than 2000 species worldwide with 200 or so classifi ed as weeds (Randall 2001). A similar looking and close Fruits: The fruit form after fl owering and have relative of cypress spurge is (leafy spurge), which is three capsules which explode when they reach another Victorian Alert Weed. maturity, ejecting the seeds away from the plant (CNAP 2000). There are usually one to three seeds in each fruit capsule. Seeds: Seeds are a grey colour, smooth, egg shaped and 1 mm in diameter (USDA 2006). A small food reserve is attached to the seed shell which encourages ants to transport the seed locally. Roots: Cypress spurge plants have a sturdy vertical taproot that can grow to depths of more than three metres. Underground runners spread off the taproot and sprout new branches. Cypress spurge lie dormant over winter, dying back and re-shooting in early spring.

Weed Alert! Cypress spurge Euphorbia cyparissias

Victorian Alert Weeds Importance & impacts Impacts: Ecosystems, waterways and agriculture: What are Victorian Alert Weeds? Cypress spurge restricts the growth and reproduction of surrounding plants, often forming pure stands Victorian Alert Weeds are potential weeds of the and out competing all other vegetation. Cattle future. They may pose a serious threat to Victoria’s avoid grazing on euphorbia’s for the latex sap agricultural and natural assets or could affect contained within their stems is a strong irritant. human health. Some of these weeds are thought Repeated grazing by cattle on euphorbia’s can lead to occur in small numbers in Victoria and are still to skin irritations and digestive problems, including: eradicable. Other species are yet to reach Victoria, diarrhoea; loss of appetite and eventually death. The but present a serious threat if they were to arrive. persistent latex sap can also affect the taste, smell Weed Spotters help the Department of Primary and colour of milk and a real risk to dairy farmers. Industries validate the distribution of these weeds. Cultivation disturbs the roots of cypress spurge so Weed Spotters are individuals trained to look for it is unlikely to be found invading cropping land. and report high priority Weed Alert species in Grazing is at greatest risk from cypress spurge due Victoria. They are recruited from the community, to the loss of feed value from invaded pasture and government or industry. the toxic affects of the sap on cattle. Social value and health impacts: In some countries cypress spurge has been used as a ground cover in cemeteries; hence the common name ‘cemetery spurge’. E. cyparissias was once believed to have medicinal uses for treatment of various ailments including skin conditions, constipation and Why is this species a cancerous growths (Stahevitch et al 1988). However, Victorian Alert Weed? the latex sap can cause severe reactions so touching or consuming the plant is not recommended. Cypress spurge is an extremely aggressive plant Health hazards: All parts of E. cyparissias contain with spreading and sprawling vegetative growth. a toxic latex sap that may irritate the eyes, mouth, An extensive root system allows it to compete skin and stomach (Faubert & Casagrande 2002). strongly in many sensitive and signifi cant plant Direct skin contact with the sap can cause redness, communities including grasslands and coastal swelling and blisters. If the plant is consumed it can dunes (USDA 2006). The plant can quickly out cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. compete it’s neighbours for nutrients, space and light, and once established it can prevent other Importance: plants from reproducing and surviving. Animals and grazing livestock avoid eating Euphorbia Weed legislative status: Euphorbia cyparissias cyparissias because of its latex sap, encouraging is not declared as a noxious weed in any Australian selective grazing of valuable competitors. The state or territory. plant is toxic to animals and people and contact Signifi cance of the weed in Australia: with cypress spurge can cause illness and skin Small infestations of cypress spurge have naturalised irritations. Control of this species is very diffi cult in South Australia and Tasmania, and the Weed because the plant has an extensive and long-lived Spotter network will help to ascertain if the species root system (Stahevitch et al 1988). has naturalised in Victoria. Permitted/prohibited entry into Australia: Euphorbia cyparissias plants and seed are permitted entry into Australia, subject to certain conditions. For more information see the AQIS ICON import conditions database at www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/ import/icon-icd or call 1800 020 504. Victorian Weed Risk Assessment: Cypress spurge is considered to be a weed threat because the plant is highly invasive and may have adverse impacts on the environment and the agricultural industries of Victoria. The plant is an aggressive competitor with a long lived root system and is very diffi cult to eradicate once it becomes established. E. cyparissias is toxic to humans and most animals and it has proved to be a destructive weed menace in a number of other countries. Growth & spread

Reproduction and dispersal: The popularity Seed bank/propagule persistence: Mature of cypress spurge as a drought tolarant plants can produce from 30 to 900 seeds per plant ornamental plant and its invasive nature has lead each season, with two fl owering periods possible horticulturalists to develop sterile strains. Despite per year. Fresh seeds have a high viability (as high this, sterile plants still pose a threat as their as 85%) and can remain in the soil for up to fi ve underground runners can sprout and invade new years (USGS 2005). areas. Those plants that do seed can project their propagules up to fi ve metres from the parent plant Origin: Europe and temperate Asia. (Faubert & Casagrande 2002). Seed movement by birds, ants, animals, water and people assist in Where it grows: Cypress spurge has a broad long-range dispersal. range of habitats in which it can thrive, from lowland plains to alpine areas, and warm temperate Rate of growth and spread: Cypress spurge is regions to cold climates with considerable rainfall a very fast grower, producing seed within its fi rst and snow (Stahevitch et al 1988). It favours the year. New shoots emerge from root buds and seed disturbed ground of roadsides, cemeteries and in late winter, out competing more valuable plants. waste areas but will readily invade pastures, The spread of the plant can be fast, with creeping grasslands, and riverbanks. Cypress spurge has underground roots able to produce new shoots a tolerance to drought and is resistant to fi re but throughout the growing season. seeds require a winter chill to induce germination, which will hopefully limit its distribution to southern parts of Australia (Stahevitch et al 1988).

Growth calendar Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Flowering

Seeding

Germination

Die back

Notes: Growth calendar is broadly based on behaviour and timing of plant changes, either from overseas populations, or from limited populations in Australia. Actual behaviour of plants may differ, depending on climate and geographical location.

Weedy distribution in Australia and Introductory pathway to Australia: Given its overseas: In Australia, cypress spurge has world-wide distribution, the introductory pathways naturalised in Tasmania and South Australia whilst for cypress spurge could include the importation internationally it has become a weed in regions of contaminated seed or agricultural products, or with similar climates to southern Australia (New accidental introduction from contaminated clothing Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and or equipment being brought into Australia by the ). residents or tourists. There is also a risk of the plant spreading from the infestations already within Australia, through means such as contaminated seed, fodder, clothing and equipment or intentional spread from people taking cuttings of the plant to grow in their gardens. Cypress spurge is available in the nursery trade which may assist in its’ establishment in Victoria. Cypress spurge Euphorbia cyparissias

Choosing alternative species

When choosing an alternative plant, attempt to source local native (indigenous) species from a nursery/garden centre in your area. Advice can also be sought from Sustainable Gardening Australia - a not for profi t organisation, promoting responsible plant choices - call (03) 9850 8165 or visit their website at www.sgaonline.org.au.

Further information about cypress spurge can be found on the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or check the references listed below. If you suspect you have found Euphorbia cyparissias, report it to your local Weed Alert Contact Offi cer on 136 186.

References: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP). (2000). (2006). Weed of the Week: Cypress Spurge ‘Creating an Integrated Weed Management Plan: A Euphorbia cyparissias L. (USDA Forest Service). Handbook for Owners and Managers of Lands with Accessed Online 23 May 2007. http://www.na.fs. Natural Values’. Pp. 212-213. (Colorado Department fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/Cypress-spurge. of Agriculture, Denver). pdf

Faubert, H. and Casagrande, R. (2002). Cypress United States Geological Survey (USGS). (2005). Spurge – Biological Control of Invasive Plants Southwest Exotic Plant Information Clearinghouse; in the Eastern United States. Last Updated 5 Euphorbia cyparissias. Last Updated 22 March November 2003. http://www.invasive.org/eastern/ 2005. http://www.usgs.nau.edu/swepic/ biocontrol/15CypressSpurge.html Acknowledgments: This fact sheet was Randall, R. (2001). A Global Compendium of Weeds. prepared by Richard Plant and Stuart Roberton, Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project. Accessed December 2007. Online 29 May 2007. http://www.hear.org/gcw/ index.html

Richardson, F., Richardson, R. and Shepherd, R. (2006). ‘Weeds of the South-East; An Identifi cation Guide for Australia’. (R. J. Richardson and F. Richardson, Meredith, Victoria).

Stahevitch, A., Crompton, C. and Wojtas, W. (1988). The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 85. Euphorbia cyparissias, Canadian Journal of Plant Science 68, 175-191. Printed on 100% recycled paper. Printed on 100% recycled

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries Melbourne, March 2008. © The State of Victoria Department of Primary Industries 2008. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Australia. ISBN 978-1-74199-806-1 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without fl aw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

For further information, visit the DPI Website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186