leafy spurge
(Euphorbia virgata)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Native Range
Europe and Asia
Appearance
Leafy spurge is an herbaceous perennial with thickly clustered stems growing up to 3 ft (90 cm) tall. It has deep vertical roots as well as extensive creeping lateral roots that produce adventitious buds. Leaves are alternate and narrow with smooth margins and a deep midvein. Flowers are tiny, lime-green, and enclosed by showy, yellow-green bracts. They are arranged in clusters at stem tips. Seed capsules contain three smooth, oval, mottled gray or brown seeds.
Impact
Leafy spurge displaces native plant species and reduces range, pasture, and crop production. The plants are toxic to livestock and humans and have resulted in livestock poisoning and severe dermatitis in people.
Reference
Milan, J., N.M. West, R.S. Bourchier, and C.B. Randall. 2024. Spurges (Euphorbia spp.): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2024-40- SPURGES-P. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/29179.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alaska Noxious Weeds
- Alberta Weed Control Act
- Arizona Noxious Weeds
- California Noxious Weeds
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Colorado Noxious Weeds
- Connecticut Invasive Plant List
- Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
- Connecticut Noxious Weeds
- Hawaii Noxious Weeds
- Hoffman, R. & K. Kearns, Eds. 1997. Wisconsin manual of control recommendations for ecologically invasive plants. Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources. Madison, Wisconsin. 102pp.
- Idaho Noxious Weeds
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule
- Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
- Iowa Forest Invasive Plants
- Iowa Noxious Weeds
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Kansas Noxious Weeds
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Watch List
- Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group List
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Michigan Noxious Weeds
- Minnesota Noxious Weeds
- Montana Noxious Weeds
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nebraska Noxious Weeds
- Nevada EDRR
- Nevada Noxious Weeds
- New Mexico Noxious Weeds
- New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- North Dakota Noxious Weeds
- Ohio Noxious Weeds
- Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program Tracked Species List
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- South Dakota Noxious Weeds
- Utah Noxious Weeds - Control
- Washington Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
- Wyoming Noxious Weeds
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Malpighiales |
| Family: Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: Euphorbia |
| Euphorbia virgata |
References
Common Name Reference: The Plant List (2010). Version 1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/ (accessed 1st January).
Scientific Name Reference: The Plant List (2010). Version 1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/ (accessed 1st January).