Euphorbia myrsinites, also known as myrtle spurge, donkey’s tail, or burro tail, is a succulent evergreen plant native to the Mediterranean region. It was brought to Utah as a drought-tolerant ornamental but unfortunately has escaped cultivation and become very invasive. It can spread and form huge colonies that displace native grasses and wildflowers, and its milky white sap is toxic. It blooms in mid-spring with chrome yellow flowers; the seed pods ripen in late spring or early summer, exploding in the heat and throwing the seeds a distance of up to several yards.
Now is the time to get rid of it, before it has a chance to reproduce. Because of the waxy coating on the leaves, it is difficult to control with herbicides, but it can be dug up, or if the soil is moist enough it can be pulled up by the roots. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection, as the sap is a skin irritant and can cause blindness if it comes in contact with the eyes.