What is Spurge?
Spurge is the common name given to plants of the genus Euphorbia, usually found in the tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. The name spurge is derived from the Middle English/Old French word espurge, meaning “to purge” due to its medicinal use as a purgative. These plants are annual or perennial herbs, trees, or shrubs. There are 2160 species of spurge. These plants have a milky sap, called latex, which is sometimes poisonous. The latex of leafy spurge is a skin irritant that can cause severe irritation, blotching, blistering, and swelling in both people and animals. If the latex comes into contact with the mucous membranes, such as the eyes, it can be extremely painful and caution is advised when dealing with latex-producing spurge. Immediate action should be taken by quickly flushing the eyes or skin with clean water. Leafy spurge is a noxious weed found in the Western United States. It is an aggressive, deep-rooted perennial that will quickly colonize and push out native pla
