Submodule 5: Most Common Western Rangelands Weeds

Leafy Spurge

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) is a perennial forb that grows 1 to 3 feet in height with roots up to 20 feet deep. In late April, it grows from a woody crown located at the soil surface. The stems are profusely clustered. It has bluish-green, narrow leaves with smooth edges that are 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch wide, and 1 inch to 4 inches long. Florets produced in umbel flowers (which are groups of about 7-10 florets) are found at the top of the plant and are surrounded by showy yellow bracts. The plant usually flowers from May to October. When mature, the grey-brown seeds are round to oblong and less than 0.1 inches long. The plant stem contains a white latex sap that is characteristic of the genus.

(photo courtesy Larry Howery)