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Photo Credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org -
Photo Credit: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org -
Photo Credit: L.L. Berry, Bugwood.org -
Photo Credit: Bruce Ackley, the Ohio State University, Bugwood.org -
Photo Credit: L.L. Berry, Bugwood.org
Also known as: Faitour’s grass, green spurge
Leafy spurge is a fast-growing plant than spreads by seed and root fragments. It produces a milky sap which makes it inedible for cattle and horses allowing it to quickly infest pastures and rangelands. This sap also irritates skin when touched.
Description:
| Life Cycle: | Perennial (life cycle lasts more than one year) |
| Early Detection and Rapid Response species: | Yes |
| Height: | 1 to 3 feet (0.3 – 1 meter) |
| Leaf Description: | Oblong-shaped leaves are bluish-green and have smooth edges. They grow alternatively along the stem. Its leaves and stems contain a milky sap which can irritate skin and make the plant distasteful for grazing livestock. |
| Fruit & Flower Description: | Small, green flowers grow in clusters that look like umbrellas. Heart-shaped bractsBracts Leaf-like structures below a plant’s flower. grow at the base of each flower cluster and may appear to be petals from a distance. Plants produce seeds one month after flowering. Seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 8 years. |
| Bloom Time: | May to October |
Habitat:
- Leafy spurge grows in a wide range of sun and soil conditions.
- It spreads rapidly in areas where cattle and other grazing livestock remove competing plants.
- It can be found in pastures, rangelands, forests, and along roadsides.
Impact:
- Leafy spurge crowds out desirable forage and native plants in pastures and prairie habitats.
- It can also contaminate hay fields and reduce crop yields.
What you can do about it:
- If you think you’ve found leafy spurge anywhere in Oregon, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline.
- Wear gloves whenever handling leafy spurge, as its milky sap can irritate skin.
- Small patches can be removed by hand or with hand tools. Removal is most effective before the plants produce seed. Treatment will be needed over multiple years.
- Larger infestations can be controlled with grazing livestock. Although it is toxic to cattle and horses, goats and sheep will eat it. The infestation will not be completed eradicated by grazing but it reduces the infestation so desirable forage can reestablish.
Look-alikes:
Leafy spurge is often confused with Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias). Mediterranean spurge is much larger and robust.
It can also be confused with another invasive weed, oblong spurge (Euphorbia oblongata).
Noxious Weed Listing:
| State of Oregon: | Class B |
| State of Washington: | Class B |
More Resources:
Download the Leafy Spurge Best Management Practices factsheet
- Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook: Leafy spurge
- University of California, Weed Research & Information Center: Leafy spurge