A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia

LEAFY SPURGE DISTRIBUTION

Euphorbia esula L. Family: (Spurge). Other Scientific Names: virgata. Other Common Names: None. Legal Status: Provincial Noxious.

Growth form: Perennial forb. Roots: Extensive lateral root system. Flower: Flowers are yellowish green, small, Seedling: Seed leaves (cotyledons) are arranged in numerous small clusters with linear to lanceolate, with entire margins. distinctive paired Other: The entire contains bracts underneath. white, milky latex. Foliage of the Bracts are heart plant is smooth and hairless. shaped and yellow- green. Similar Species Seeds/Fruit: Seeds are Exotics: Six species of spurge oblong, greyish to purple, occur in BC, all introduced contained in a 3-celled (Douglas et al. 1999). capsule. Natives: None. Leaves: Leaves are alternate, narrow, 2–6 cm long. Stems: Mature are 20–90 cm tall. Stems are thickly clustered.

Impacts ______Agricultural: Invades rangeland and reduces its plant produces an allelopathic compound that inhibits productivity for livestock and wildlife (Lajeunesse et the growth of other plants (Butterfield et al. 1996). al. 1999). Human: The milky latex can cause irritation, Ecological: Leafy spurge is a long-lived perennial that blotching, blisters, and swelling. Wear gloves while reproduces by seeds and buds on persistent, creeping pulling or contacting this plant. Never rub the eyes or roots (Powell et al. 1994). All parts of the plant contain face until after the hands are thoroughly washed. a milky latex that is poisonous to some livestock. The

Habitat and Ecology ______General requirements: In BC, grows at low- to mid- Distribution: Isolated pockets occur in the Thompson, elevations on dry roadsides, fields, grasslands, open Cariboo, Boundary, East Kootenay, Nechako, and forests, and disturbed habitats. Leafy spurge has a wide North Okanagan areas (Powell et al. 1994). It is range of ecological tolerances from very dry to very considered a major concern in the Kootenay, wet but appears best adapted to semi-arid areas Okanagan, Thompson, Cariboo, and Omineca (Butterfield et al. 1996). It grows on a range of soil agricultural reporting regions. It is widespread types but is most abundant in coarse-textured soils and throughout Canada and the western US. least abundant on clayey soils (Butterfield et al. 1996). Historical: Introduced from Eurasia.

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Life cycle: Emerges in the spring and develops flowers Seed production: A large plant may produce up to within 1–2 weeks after stem elongation (Butterfield et 130,000 seeds (Rutledge and McLendon. Undated). al. 1996). Flower clusters have 8–16 branches. Seed bank: Seeds can remain viable in the soil 5–8 Flowering generally ends in late June to mid-July, years, although most seeds will germinate in the first 2 depending on geographic location. Three seeds are years (Butterfield et al. 1996). produced per cluster (Powell et al. 1994). Seeds mature Dispersal: Mature seeds can be dispersed up to 4.5 m about 30 days following pollination. from the parent plant. Seeds float on water and can be Mode of reproduction: By seed but primarily from transported by animals and remain in flooded seed lateral roots. Roots can extend nearly 4.5 m laterally banks. and about 9 m deep, with up to 300 buds forming on Hybridization: No information available. the roots (Butterfield et al. 1996).

Management ______Biocontrol: Seven biocontrol agents have been followed by autumn grass seeding. Consult the most released in the province: nigriscutis, A. recent edition of BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and cyparissiae, A. czwalinae, A. lacertosa, A. flava (flea- Fisheries Crop Production Guides for specific beetles), (moth), and Lobesia recommendations. Before applying herbicides, read euphorbiana (moth). Thus far, Apthona nigriscutis has the label for full use and precautionary instructions. had the most significant impact, although other Cultural/Preventive: Cultural methods such as hand- Apthona species have been successful in selected pulling, mowing, and cutting are not likely to have habitats. -grazing has been successfully used to much success in controlling leafy spurge. Protect manage spurge on ranches in : once the sheep disturbed areas by seeding to perennial grasses. Ensure were removed, the spurge would quickly return that grazing maintains vigorous perennial plant (Biesboer 1998). There are likely few opportunities for communities. this kind of management in BC. Mechanical: Tillage, mowing, and pulling are generally ineffective control treatments because of the plant’s extensive root system. Fire: Burning alone is unlikely to provide adequate Integrated Management Summary control because of the extensive root system. Integrated management will require a Herbicides: Picloram has been used successfully on combination of prevention, biocontrol, small infestations (Lajeunesse et al. 1999). Spring chemical control, and seeding disturbed areas applications of a combination of picloram and 2,4-D to perennial grasses. Where infestations are also were effective when the herbicide was applied large, the only likely long-term management before flowers emerged (Beck 1996). Similarly, annual strategy will be biocontrol, at least initially. applications of dicamba and 2,4-D in combination have Seeding and good land management practices also provided good management (Beck 1996). Beck must follow. (1996) found that applications of glyphosate were effective when applied at one-month intervals and

References ______Beck, K. G. 1996. Leafy spurge. Colorado State Best, K. F., G. G. Bowes, A. G. Thomas, and M. G. University Cooperative Extension Natural Resource Maw. 1980. The biology of Canadian weeds. 39. Series, No. 3. 107. L. Canadian Journal of Plant Science http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/PUBS/NATR 60: 651–663. ES/03107.html [24 Jan 00]. Biesboer, D. D. 1998. Element stewardship abstract for Beck, K. G., and L. R. Rittenhouse. 2000. Managing Euphorbia esula. The Nature Conservancy, Wildland leafy spurge with sheep grazing and flea beetles. Weeds Management and Research Program. Proceedings of the Western Society of Weed Science. In http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/euphesul.html [28 press. Jul 98].

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Butterfield, C., J. Stubbendieck, and J. Stumpf. 1996. Powell, G. W., A. Sturko, B. M. Wikeem, and P. Harris. Species abstracts of highly disruptive exotic plants. 1994. Field Guide to the Biological Control of Weeds Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research in British Columbia. Land Management Handbook No. Center Home Page. 27. BC Ministry of Forests. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/exoticab/ Rutledge, C. R., and T. McLendon. Undated. An exoticab.htm [16 Jul 97]. assessment of exotic plant species of Rocky Mountain Douglas, G. W., D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar, eds. 1999. National Park. Department of Rangeland Ecosystem Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Vol. 3: Science, Colorado State University. Northern Prairie Dicotyledons (Diapensiaceae through Onagraceae). Wildlife Research Center Home Page. Province of British Columbia. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/Explant/e Lajeunesse, S., R. L. Sheley, R. Lym, D. Cooksey, C. xplant.htm [15 Dec 98]. Duncan, J. Lacy, N. Rees, and M. Ferrell. 1994. Leafy Whitson, T. D. (ed.), L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. spurge: biology, ecology and management. Extension Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, R. Parker. 1996. Bulletin EB 34. Bozeman: Montana State University. Leafy spurge. Weeds of the West. Western Society of Lajeunesse, S., R. L. Sheley, R. Lym, and C. Duncan. Weed Science, in cooperation with the Western United 1999. Leafy spurge. In R. L. Sheley and J. K. Petroff, States Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Services, Newark, CA. Weeds. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. Lym, R. G. 1998. The biology and management of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) on rangeland. Weed Technology 12: 367–373.

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