cypress spurge

Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) is a plant native to the Old World that has become established as a weed in the eastern United States. It is part of the large and diverse genus Euphorbia, which includes at least 2,100 species.12

These plants are known for their varied forms, ranging from creeping herbs to shrubs and trees. Unlike cacti, which some euphorbias resemble, they have a milky, often poisonous sap. The floral structure is unique, featuring a single female flower surrounded by male flowers, all enclosed in a cup-shaped, leaflike structure called a cyathium. Cypress spurge itself is described as a globe-shaped plant with needlelike foliage that is covered with golden bracts in the spring.2