Contractors working on removing myrtle spurge

SALT LAKE CITY – Treatments to control the invasive plant species myrtle spurge will occur this spring according to the Salt Lake County Health Department website,

Originally adopted by landscapers for wetland gardens, the plant has since spread to Parleys Canyon and Millcreek Canyon, among others.

The first treatments took place in March, according to the health department’s website. The treatments will continue in various ways until June.

Because the invasive plants take hold best when the soil is moist, treatments will be paused in the summer and resumed in the fall.

How to get rid of myrtle spurge

The SLCO Health Department website states that chemicals are being applied to the plants. Contractors will apply a mixture of surfactants (a compound in detergents), purple or blue dyes, and the herbicides glyphosate and chlosulfuron in an attempt to kill the plants.

In addition, the teams will pull, mow and till the weeds.

The treatments will take place on public lands. The sites were listed as Parley’s Pointe, Grandeur Peak Open Space and Millcreek Canyon.

The SLCO health department website did not list specific treatment dates for any area. However, it said people should not spend time in the areas during the treatments.

Myrtle spurge poses risks to Utah’s ecosystems, humans

Utah State University said myrtle spurge is native to Asia and southern Europe. The drought-tolerant plant was initially used by landscapers in Utah. However, it spread to hills and canyons.

Myrtle spurge is outgrowing native plants and posing a risk to their ecosystems, according to a social media post from Save Our Canyons.

Since its spread, it has been classified as a noxious weed by Salt Lake County. The Natural History Museum of Utah said the plant is no longer available for sale in Colorado and Oregon.

Additionally, its sale is limited in Utah, according to the SLCO Health Department.

Myrtle spurge also poses a risk to human health. According to the SLCO Health Department, all parts of the plant contain a poisonous sap. If it comes into contact with human skin, it can cause blisters, irritation, redness and swelling.

If you come into contact with the sap, rinse the area thoroughly as soon as possible.

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