Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia escula L.)

Status:

Listed Noxious Weed In Montana & North Dakota

History:

First Montana Specimen Collected 1

County:

Missoula

Year:

1923

“If you have seen a Poinsettia at Christmas time then you have met a close relative of leafy spurge. The colorful bracts are common in the spurge family and may be mistaken for sepals or petals. Worldwide there are about 1600 species of Euphorbia” (Elpel)

”Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia escula) was first introduced into eastern
North America from Russia in the early 1800s. Other introductions were
made in the Midwest later in the century, probably as contaminants in seed grain. Some researchers believe our leafy spurge is a hybrid of two or more Old World species. Today the plant covers more than 1.1 million hectares (about 2.7 million acres), mostly in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.”(Elpel, 8)

Habitat:

Perennial, erect, up to 3' tall, spreading by seed or creeping roots.

Growth Habit:

Perennial, erect, up to 3' tall, spreading by seed or creeping roots.

Leaves:

Alternate, long, narrow, 1/4" wide and 2" long, usually drooping.

Stem:

Branched near top, hairless, entire plant contains milky sap.

Flower:

Inconspicuous, surrounded by large heart shaped floral leaves, which turn yellow-green,
near maturity.

Roots:

Brown, numerous pink buds, deep, spreading, and very persistent.

Seeds:

Seed is thrown to 20' by exploding seed capsule.

Other Notes:

“Leafy spurge can reduce grass production by 75% in infested fields. The perennial plant
spreads by seeds and roots. The deep and extensive root system makes the
plant resistant to grazing, cultivation, and herbicides.” (CWMA, 7)

”Pulling or plowing the plant may stimulate the roots to spread even
more. A root fragments as small as 1/2" can grow into a new plant.
Herbicides will kill the vegetation and roots near the soil surface, but
they do not translocate to the deeper roots. The roots can extend thirty
feet down into the soil, and new shoots will sprout up from almost any
depth. Several repeat chemical applications may be required to kill the
entire plant and root system.” (CWMA, 7)