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Class B Noxious Weed

Leafy Spurge
Euphorbia esula

 

Leafy spurge


Plant family: Euphorbiaceae
Year listed:
Native to: Europe

Why is it a noxious weed?

Leafy spurge reduces the livestock carrying capacity of pasture and rangeland by 20 to 50%, causing an estimated $35-45 million loss per year in US beef and hay production in addition to the millions of dollars spent for control. Leafy spurge has vigorous, long roots capable of regeneration which gives this plant an extraordinary capability to invade and colonize large areas. Leafy spurge is toxic to some animals and unpalatable to most, so it thrives in areas where competitive plants are heavily grazed.

How would I identify it?
General Description: Leafy spurge is a perennial plant with stems which originate from a crown just below the soil surface. The plants begin growing in early spring, before their competitors, and tend to appear in patches. Stems, roots and leaves exude a milky sap that can be an irritant to skin.

Leaves:

  • alternate
  • 3 inches in length
  • yellow-green, turning red in the fall after the first frost

Flowers:

  • bracts, showy yellow
  • actual flowers are inconspicuous and green

Stems:

  • 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall
  • erect

Line drawings are taken from 1,000 Weeds of North America, copyright of XID Service, Inc and used with permission. Permission granted by the author.

How does it reproduce?
Leafy Spurge reproduces by seed, crown and root buds.

Where does it grow?
Leafy spurge can adapt to a wide range of habitats, it spreads rapidly in areas where cattle or other grass grazing animals remove competing plants.

What is the distribution in Washington State?

 

 

 

Click on map to enlarge.
  • Leafy Spurge has been documented in 16 counties, the majority of infestations being in the eastern region. Refer to map for distribution levels for specific counties.
  • Distribution map is based on 2003 data.

How do I control it?

General control methods: Intensive cultivation and the planting of competitive crops are useful methods for the control of leafy spurge in cultivated fields, but with heavy infestations on rangeland, the addition of chemicals, grazing sheep or goats is usually necessary to further diminish weed growth.

Cultural: Intensive cultivation and competitive crops are useful methods of control.

Herbicide: Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

Mechanical:  Information not available at this time.

Biological: Research into various biocontrol agents have been done, including numerous insects and the use of goats.

Are there plants that may be confused with Leafy spurge?
Other plants in the Euphorbiaceae family may be confused with Leafy spurge. If you need help with plant identification, please contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

 

For more information
For more information, download our Written Findings.

 

More Photos-Click photo to enlarge
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Leafy Spurge flower close up.

 Leafy Spurge sap. Leafy Spurge infestation.

 Last updated September 08, 2008