Download Leafy Spurge Photo by Matt Lavin A weed is a plant or flower that

Leafy Spurge
Photo by Matt Lavin
A weed is a plant or flower that can be an invasive species in a particular area. In order
for a plant to be defined as a weed, it must have several characteristics including; it is a nonnative species, it has aggressive growth and is invasive, it poses a serious threat to other animal
and plant species & their habitat, it is a potential fire hazard and is hard to control (USDA).
Leafy Spurge or Euphorbia esula is classified as a perennial. Perennials have a life cycle
that is longer than two years (Merriam-Webster Online). The blossom is greenish yellow in
color and has stems that flower in late spring. While most perennials are pretty flowers and
plants, leafy spurge is considered a weed and invasive species per the US Department of
Agriculture.
Unfortunately leafy spurge can become very invasive and is a difficult weed to control. It
spreads easily by way of wind, traffic, and contaminated hay. It has a tendency to quickly take
over grazing pasture & agricultural crops, roadsides, displace native species (Minnesota Dept. of
Natural Resources), and can pose a threat to various ecological regions. It is also an economic
threat because of the damage it creates and the cost to control it.
The only way to get rid of this invasive species is through chemical or biological control.
While chemical control is a tactic, there is not one single herbicide that will destroy Leafy
Spurge. A variety of chemicals along with prescribed burning is one method that has been used
successfully.
As a form of biological control, several insects have also been released on invasive
takeover of the weed. In Eastern Oregon, the flea beetle is one way that the plant has been
biologically controlled (OSU Extension Service). Goats have also been placed in certain areas to
try and reduce weed invasion. However, just like chemical control, biological control alone has
not been 100% successful at weed elimination. Research is showing the best way to attack the
plant is by destroying its roots, especially in its first year of life. Either method has to be repeated
over a five to ten year time span to be fully successful (Missouri Dept. of Conservation).