212 



WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.). 



Description. — Plant with perennial running root-stocks and 

 densely clustered stems from 6 in.-l ft. high; linear, crowded leaves; 

 many-rayed umbel with glands crescent-shaped and granular pods. 



Distribution.- — Common westward from New England to Nebraska 

 usually in the vicinity of gardens and cemeteries. 



Extermination. — This perennial weed because of its running root- 

 stocks is often difficult to exterminate. The ground should be given 

 a shallow plowing and the root-stocks exposed to the sun. It may 

 be necessary to repeat this process two or three times during the 

 summer. In addition to its propagation by the running root-stocks 

 it also propagates by its seeds. 



Fig. 124. Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias). Yellow "flowered" plaat 



with milky juice and narrow leaves. Escaped from gardens to roadsides. 



(Photographed by Colburn.) 



