Myrtle Spurge is one of the most noxious weeds in Northern Utah. The plant emits a milky sap that can cause blisters, burns and even blindness on humans and animals. This plant is known to be an ornamental plant for decades but has turned into an ecological nightmare. This drought tolerant plant is now so invasive that it’s a threat to the environment and human health.
Provo Parks & Recreation and the Utah Valley Chapter of the Utah Native Plant Society are trying to purge the spurge. Once common in garden nurseries for years, myrtle spurge spreads easily through its flowers, so much so that it’s overtaking native plants along hillsides, at homes, and undeveloped land areas.
It grows easily as it’s drought tolerant and can be found in grassy meadows to rocky slopes. It's spreading fast and easily overtakes existing plant life. Currently, Provo’s greatest concentration of spurge can be found in the Indian Hills, Rock Canyon, Oak Hills and Tree Street Neighborhoods and continue east into the foothills Squaw Mountain and Y Mountain.
On Saturday, April 28, Provo Parks & Recreation and the Utah Valley Chapter of the Utah Native Plant Society are co-hosting a Purge Your Spurge event at which residents and wildlife enthusiasts can bring bagged spurge to be disposed of properly. Myrtle spurge that is not bagged or included with other yard waste cannot be accepted.
The first 50 participants to bring their bags of Myrtle Spurge will receive a native plant to take home for their yard. In addition, staff and experts will be available to answer questions about noxious weeds. The event will be held at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2620 N. 1450 E. (Rock Canyon Trailhead parking lot).
For more information contact Susan Sims UNPS, Utah County Chapter President at shsims@mac.com, or visit facebook.com/UVUNPS to learn more about the Utah Valley Chapter of the Utah Native Plant Society and to see event details.