Eggleaf spurge

Eggleaf spurge is an upright perennial with oblong leaves and branching clusters of small flowers surrounded by yellow bracts. It is also called Balkan or oblong spurge; the plant can look ornamental, but it has escaped cultivation and is regulated as a noxious weed in some places. ## Landscape Use Treat this species cautiously and check local invasive-plant and quarantine rules before moving or growing it. Washington lists eggleaf spurge as a Class A noxious weed and prohibits its transport and sale; Oregon also tracks oblong spurge as a noxious weed. Avoid allowing seed capsules to mature or spread. ## Growing Conditions The plant occurs in settings ranging from damp meadows and streambanks to dry hillsides and roadsides, so the record’s sun exposure can vary with site. It may reach about 3 feet tall and has a woody, branched root crown. The flowers appear in spring and summer, while the oblong leaves have finely toothed edges and a prominent midvein. ## Maintenance Wear gloves when removing or pruning plants because broken stems exude milky latex. Monitor for seedlings and follow local weed-control guidance; the taproot and root-crown buds can regrow after cutting. [Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board](https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/eggleaf-spurge) documents identification and legal status, and the [Oregon Department of Agriculture profile](https://www.oregon.gov/oda/Documents/Publications/Weeds/OblongSpurgeProfile.pdf) notes its escape from ornamental use.