Leafy Spurge – Invasive Weed

“Invasive Weeds” are non-native plants that crowd our native and desirable species important to Warm Springs People and Wildlife.

Leafy Spurge is a deep-rooted perennial from 6 to 36 inches tall.  Plants begin growing in early spring before their competitors.  It typically blooms from May to October.  Each umbel supports seven to ten groups of tiny flowers, subtended by four glands and two conspicuous greenish-yellow bracts.  With bluish-green leaves, it has milky sap that will flow from any part of the plant.  This sap may cause severe irritation to human skin and blistering and hair loss on the legs of horses in heavily infested pastures.  It competes strongly in pastures and rangelands reducing desirable forage.

To learn more about controlling invasive weeds like Leafy Spurge – you can contact these local resources:  Suzie Miller at the Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources (541-553-2007, [email protected]), Terry Stradley at the Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources (541-553-2009, [email protected]), Todd Shockney at the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Department (541-475-4459 ext. 5325), Scott Duggan, Oregon State University Warm Springs Extension (541-553-3238,  [email protected])