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

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

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Leafy spurge