Leafy Spurge
A weed with impact on real estate values? This can be the case if the weed is extremely difficult to control, if the controls are expensive, and if the weed growth is so dense that it ruins the appearance of the property, lowering the value of your land. Leafy spurge is a weed that meets all three criteria. In addition, it crowds out desirable plants such as native grasses and wildflowers. In fact, it can crowd out all other vegetation, resulting in stands of pure leafy spurge. Because leafy spurge is officially designated a Noxious Weed, landowners are legally responsible for its control.
The weed is usually found on rangeland, but as more real estate in Montana is sold in parcels one to several acres in size, it is
becoming a problem for homeowners as well as for range managers. It grows in a variety of habitats, including open hillsides, valleys,
gullies, and along stream and ditch banks. Look for it also in meadows and along roadsides.
Leafy spurge is usually one and one-half to two feet tall, with many single, upright stems. Leaves are about 2 inches long and 1/4
inch wide, greenish-blue, and growing the length of the stem. Some branching occurs as the plants get larger, but the overall effect is
of single stems growing from the ground. If you break the stems or pull off a leaf, a white, milky substance immediately begins to
seep from the wound. Blossoms are yellowish-green in color, and surrounded by two heart-shaped leaves, or bracts as they are
called, that are the same yellowish-green color. If you suspect you have leafy spurge on your property, your county Extension agent,
or your county weed supervisor will be glad to assist with identification. Both are listed in the phone book in the county government
listings.
Pulling, hoeing, mowing, burning, or spraying leafy spurge with commonly used weed killers are exercises in futility because of the
deep root system of the weed and it's ability to produce new plants from extremely numerous buds on the roots. Roots can grow to
depths of 25 feet, and interconnected root systems can extend for many yards. The plant has the ability to exude herbicides from the
roots, reducing effectiveness of herbicide applications. Removing above-ground portions of the plant can reduce seed production, but
will have little effect on the deep, underground root system.
So what do you do if you find this weed on your property? Because leafy spurge is so difficult to control, we suggest contacting your
county Extension agent or weed supervisor. He or she will help you decide on a management strategy and help get you started. By
combining several control tactics, and maintaining the effort over time, leafy spurge can usually be managed. Complete eradication of
large infestations is very difficult and expensive. However, when infestations are small, complete eradication IS possible! You may
want to assign high priority to identifying and controlling small patches, and maintaining vigilance for new infestations if leafy spurge
is found in your area. Enlisting the help of county Extension or weed personnel is definitely in order for this obnoxious noxious weed.
Because the weed enters a state of summer dormancy, control efforts are usually most effective in spring and early summer and in
fall, when active regrowth begins with the onset of cooler weather. By correctly identifying the weed and getting help to develop a
management plan, you will be ready for action when the weed enters a phase of regrowth.
References:
Fay, P., S. Dewey, T. Whitson, R. Sheley. 1995-1996. Montana Weed Management Handbook. Extension Service Pub. Montana
State Univ - Bozeman. Bozeman, MT 59717. 245 pp.
Lajeunesse, S.E., et al. 1995. Leafy Spurge; Biology, Ecology, and Management. Montana State University, Extension Bulletin EB
134. MSU, Bozeman, MT 59717. 25 pp.
Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbooks. 1997. Extension Services of Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR 97331-0817.
Written by Sherry Lajeunesse, Extension Urban Pest Management Specialist. Sept., 1997