Weed of the Week     

                                           Leafy Spurge

                                                        Euphorbia esula

• Perennial growing about 1’ tall in the high country but is capable of reaching up to 3’ in height.
• Has a cluster of small, yellowish-green flowers on each stem.
• Flowers appear in mid-summer.
• Leaves are 1-4” long, narrow, smooth and hairless.
• Reproduces mostly vegetatively through its root system, but also by seed.
• Roots can grow up to 15’ laterally, 30’ deep and are capable of having as many as 300 buds.
• Seeds can remain viable up to 8 years.
• One plant can produce 250 seeds of which 99% will germinate within the first two years.
• Leafy Spurge is capable of shooting its seeds up to 15’ away from the parent plant.
• Seeds are able to float on water, making Leafy Spurge a devastating plant to water systems.
• All parts of the plant exude milky latex that can cause burns and irritation to the skin. 

     

• Generates allelopathic compounds that hinder the growth of other plants.
• Capable of displacing native plants and produce a highly successful monoculture.
• Invades rangeland making it worthless for grazing and thus reduces land values.
• Toxic to horses and livestock causing skin sensitivity, burns and colic.

 

 

Control

Hand pulling will not accomplish anything but make this plant appear in a different area.  Since the root system is so extensive, pulling will be unsuccessful and mowing can actually increase the density of this plant.  There are several species of insects that are being tested to control Leafy Spurge.  Although there are some successful species, other species of insects have problems with their mouthparts getting clogged with the milky sap of the Spurge.  Grazing sheep or goats on an effected area has proven to be successful, but when the grazing is stopped the Spurge comes back.  Because of its extensive root system, the best way to control Leafy Spurge is with an herbicide. Please contact the Summit County Weed Program for recommendations on appropriate handling of herbicides and the proper herbicide to use.  As always a good ground cover will prevent noxious weeds from becoming a problem, so seeding bare ground after pulling any weeds or other disturbance is essential.

 

Although we do have Leafy Spurge, we don’t have a large population in the county.  We would like to keep it this way.  Thanks to the watchful eyes of some of our valued citizens, we have found populations we did not know existed and have gained an upper hand on them.  If you see this plant in the area, please call the Summit County Weed Program.  You will probably find this Leafy Spurge along the bike path around Summit High School.

 

Where's the Crew?

The weed season is comming to an end.  We will be doing Cheatgrass treatments the week October 6th throughout the County.  Have a great day!!