Highly toxic plant blooming in the Okanagan

The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (Oasiss) is warning the public of a known invasive plant currently flowering across the Okanagan.

Myrtle spurge, also known as ‘donkey tail’, is extremely toxic to humans, livestock and wildlife when consumed, or when its milky sap gets in contact with skin.

The sap can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when eaten, while skin contact causes redness, swelling, blotching and blisters.

Worst of all, if it gets in a person's eyes it can cause temporary blindness.

While it’s easy to be fooled by this attractive low-growing perennial with trailing stems of fleshy blue-green alternate leaves, the plant is provincially regulated and noxious in BC.

In spring, myrtle spurge is known to bloom and contain yellow and green flowers that can be tempting to pick.

Last year, several children in the Penticton area were exposed to the plant which caused extreme irritation.

Myrtle spurge is popular in rock gardens. It likes dry, disturbed soils, and grows quickly and aggressively, releasing chemicals from its roots which stop other plants from growing near it.

Oasiss hopes that the public can help prevent the spread of this toxic species.

“If you have myrtle spurge on your property you should carefully remove it. Gloves, long sleeves and eye protection should be worn. Eyes should never be rubbed until after hands are thoroughly washed,” explained Oasiss in a Facebook post.

“Small patches of all species should be carefully dug out, with the removal of as much of the root system as possible. The area should be replaced with non-invasive desirable plants to prevent re-establishment of the spurge.”

Annual monitoring and re-treatments are imperative to ensure complete removal of the weed, and plants like Kinnikinnick and Stonecrop (sedum varieties) are great alternatives.

Invasive species are the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss and cost Canada billions of dollars each year.

Learn more about myrtle spurge here, or about other invasive species in BC here.