LEafy Spurge Program

Funding for leafy spurge treatment comes through the state Special Management Program. Throughout a large portion of the state of Wyoming, leafy spurge is a widespread invasive weed. A difficult perennial to control and toxic to livestock, this species is a high priority throughout the state and within Goshen County to treat and monitor.

Leafy Spurge spraying

GCWP offers spraying services for landowners who have leafy spurge on their property. As part of the Special Management Program, chemical and labor are eligible for cost-share where GCWP will cover 80% of the total bill for materials and application. An agreement must be signed in order to be considered for cost-share.
​While Bear Creek and Rawhide Creek are two areas of main concern, there are other isolated patches of leafy spurge throughout the county. Please help us in identifying other areas with this noxious weed.

GCWP will cover 80% of the total bill for materials and application

Identification & Management

Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula, is a perennial weed originating from Eurasia. It is often found in dense patches or thickly clustered groups of woody-like stems. Flowers emerge from June to August and are a bright, yellow-green color. Below the small flowers are a pair of bracts which are also yellow-green and heart-shaped. Leaves are dark green, narrow, and 1-4 inches long. Roots of leafy spurge are brown with many pink buds which may produce new shoots or roots. Just like all species in the spurge family, leafy spurge contains a milky substance throughout the entire plant which is easily seen by breaking the stem or leaf. The seed is contained inside a capsule which explode when dry, often projecting seeds up to 15 feet which are viable in the soil for about 8 years. Leafy spurge is toxic to animals; look for severe irritation of the mouth and digestive tract.

A management strategy should consider several aspects. Timing of chemical control is essential. Research indicates the best time to apply chemical control to leafy spurge is in mid-summer to late summer. A residual herbicide product will be most effective as the plant will translocate the herbicide into the root reserves. This timing also allows for more consistent identification as the flowers are typically in full bloom and readily seen. Avoiding overgrazing of pastures and rangeland will hinder leafy spurge infestations as native and desirable grass species can compete with the weed under ideal conditions. Mechanical control by mowing may be effective but not practical as mowing would have to occur several times throughout the season and repeated over several years. Biocontrol agents, such as flea beetles (Apthona spp.) and the hawkmoth caterpillar (Hyles euphorbiae), have success in certain situations yet are not well established in Goshen County. 

Photos courtesy of: Jenna Meeks, Weeds of the West, Montana Weed Control Association, Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign, Missouri State University