Leafy Spurge Euphorbia esula
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-ah ESS-uh-luh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Leafy Spurge is a perennial wildflower with a prolific growth rate that often grows in thick clumps. Although herbaceous, it has a woody stem that, when open, can ooze a toxic milky sap. The plant will mature into a shrub.
The Leafy Spurge root system can be large and persistent. It is typically found in waste places, roadsides, and dry soil. Once established, Leafy Spurge tends to displace native grasses and most other vegetation in pastures, rangelands and natural areas. Its roots reach down 12 feet or more, and once established it is very difficult to control. It spreads both underground and by seed. Its cultivation is prohibited in ten US states and is declared a noxious weed in twelve others.
Leafy spurge prefers full sunlight and dry soil but can tolerate a variety of habitats. Its roots grow twice as fast in sandy soil as in clay soil; however, the roots in clay soil have greater branching than those in sandy soil. it is especially aggressive in semi-arid situations and grows as clusters with upright stems.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect problems. In western and northern states of the US, Leafy spurge is considered an invasive, noxious weed. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has placed this species on its list of 100 of the world's worst invasive species.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- esula
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Azores to Temperate Eurasia
- Distribution:
- Non-native species in Western and Eastern two-thirds of North America.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Edibility:
- toxic
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Leafy spurge produces a very small, 3-chambered capsule that produces tiny seeds. When mature, the capsule "explodes" to eject the seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small with a basal pair of bright yellow-green petal-like bracts. Clusters of the bracts appear in late spring, while the actual flowers do not develop until early summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Pale green leaves are numerous but scattered. The leaves are small, lanceolate, 1.5 to 3 inches long and up to 1 inch broad, with a slightly wavy margin.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are simple, but with umbrella-like branching and dense leaves.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Sap/Juice
