Stem

Up to 3 ft. tall; branched; base of plant often woody; entire plant contains milky white sap

Leaves

Mostly alternate, strap-like (linear), 1-2 in. long, 0.2 in. wide and lack hair (glabrous); NO leaf stem (petiole); smooth edges (margins)
Stems have very few leaves; typically small and oval to strap-like (linear) with toothed to lobed edges.

Flower

Small, showy, green to yellow and clustered at tips of stems; bracts below flowers are heart- to kidney-shaped and have the appearance of flower petals
Produces a spherical capsule with 3 chambers, each containing one seed

Root

Creeping, deep root system; new shoots arise from pinkish buds

Photo of leafy spurge plant with green leaves and yellow flowers

Other

Grows well across a wide range of sites; often found in pastures, waste areas, rangelands, field borders and along waterways; known to occur in Elko, Humboldt, Washoe and White Pine counties
Perennial; reproduces by seed and roots; sap can irritate skin, eyes and the digestive tracts of humans and animals; sheep and goats are immune

Photo of a field of leafy spurge plants outside

Control

Mechanical control (mowing, burning, tillage and grazing) can reduce seed production but are often NOT effective due to new shoot growth from roots
Several biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D, dicamba or glyphosate to actively growing plants through early bloom; picloram throughout the growing season; imazapic in fall after a killing frost but before loss of milky sap

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Leafy spurge, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Clark County Area 4-H Market Livestock Record A 4-H livestock record book is a comprehensive, year-long document used by members to track project goals, animal care, financial data (expenses/income) and learning experiences for livestock projects like beef, sheep, swine or goats. Rocki Shaner 2026, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Urban Clark County 4-H Volunteer Program Highlights (2024-2025) This report highlights the achievements of the Clark County 4-H volunteer program in the 2024-2025 year. Tesar, R. 2026, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
2023-2024 Clark County 4-H Volunteer Impact Report This report highlights the achievements of the Clark County 4-H volunteer program in the 2023-2024 year and looks at opportunities to further enhance our volunteer efforts. Tesar, R. 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Reports
4-H 21st Century Community Learning Center Program at Valley High School Evaluation Report 2024-2025 The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension implemented the 4-H 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program at Valley High School in Las Vegas for its fourth year in 2024-2025. In the 2024-25 school year, 252 students attended the program. The program was offered for... Christiansen, E; Saunders, S.; Lee, C., Luna, N. & Quan-Lopez, H. 2025, University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, Reports
4-H Shooting Sports T-Shirt Design Contest Show off your creativity by entering the Nevada 4-H Shooting Sports T-Shirt Design Contest! Submit your design for the new 4-H Shooting Sports t-shirt! Williams, Kristina 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno

Associated Programs

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Green Industry Training

A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Leafy spurge