leafy spurge
(Euphorbia virgata)
Conservation • Weed • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | NNA - Not applicable SNA - Not applicable |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Weed Status |
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Prohibited Noxious Weed, Prohibited – Control Prohibited Weed Seed Leafy spurge is listed as an invasive terrestrial plant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Leafy spurge is a serious pest across the northern great plains, displacing grasses and other plants normally consumed by cattle. It infests over 3 million acres of land in 29 states. The roots of leafy spurge can exceed 20 feet in depth. When broken, stems and leaves exude a milky latex sap, which can cause minor skin irritation or blindness on contact. Ripe seed capsules rupture when touched, throwing seeds up to 15 feet. |
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Description |
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Height |
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12″ to 28″ |
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Flower Color |
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Green to yellow |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Dry. Disturbed sites. Full sun. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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Primarily in April and May, but may occur through October. |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 5/6/2023 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native of Asia and Europe. Introduced and naturalized in the United States. Invasive. |
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Occurrence |
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Very common and widespread |
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Taxonomy |
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| Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
| Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) | ||
| Class | Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) | ||
| Subclass | Rosidae | ||
| Superorder | Rosanae | ||
Order |
Malpighiales (nances, willows, and allies) | ||
Family |
Euphorbiaceae (spurge) | ||
| Subfamily | Euphorbioideae | ||
| Tribe | Euphorbieae | ||
| Subtribe | Euphorbiinae | ||
Genus |
Euphorbia (spurge) | ||
| Subgenus | Esula | ||
| Section | Esula | ||
Unitl recently, the leafy spurge in North America was thought to be Euphorbia esula. A 2016 review by Berry, et al., at Flora of North America, showed that the naturalized species in North America is actually Euphorbia virgata. There are herbarium specimens of Euphorbia esula in North America, indicating that it was here at one time. However, it has not persisted, and is now considered absent. Euphorbia esula is not considered a weedy species and is restricted to certain parts of Europe. Euphorbia virgata is a weedy species found throughout Europe, Asia, and now North America. |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Euphorbia boissieriana Euphorbia esula var. esula Euphorbia esula var. uralensis Euphorbia hypoleuca Euphorbia podperae Tithymalus hypoleucus Tithymalus boissierianus |
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Common Names |
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Faitour’s grass leafy spurge Russian leafy spurge spurge wolf’s milk wolf’s-milk |
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Visitor Photos |
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Luciearl |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Plant |
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Inflorescence |
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Infructescence |
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Leaves |
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Slideshows |
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| Euphorbia esula Matt Lavin |
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About
Introduced rhizomatous perennial, stems erect 30-80 cm tall, glabrous leaves and stems with milky latex, unisexual simple flowers congested into a cup-like structure, which is rimmed with nectary-producing callus tissue, ovary distinctly three-lobed, common to sites with a history of intense or regular disturbance, including pastures, grasslands, open understory, meadows, riparian corridors. |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Leafy Spurge, identification of the Wisconsin Invasive Species Euphorbia esula uwcoopextension |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 31, 2011 This is part of a series of videos providing key characteristics for the identification of invasive plants listed in Wisconsin's invasive species administrative rule NR 40. These videos are produced by Dr. Mark Renz of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information on invasive plants and invasive plant management in Wisconsin visit http://fyi.uwex.edu/weedsci or http://ipcm.wisc.edu/Publications/WeedSciencepublications/tabid/116/Default.aspx |
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| Green Spurge (Euphorbia Esula) / Leafy Spurge - 2013-05-20 W3stlander |
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About
Published on Jun 26, 2013 Euphorbia esula, commonly known as green spurge or leafy spurge, is a species of spurge. ------------------- |
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| Leafy Spurge-A Noxious Weed Exploring the Nature of Wyoming | UWyo Extension |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 5, 2009 Leafy Spurge has many qualities that enable it to survive and outcompete native and desirable plants |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this plant. |
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| Luciearl 10/11/2021 |
Location: Cass County |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Felton Prairie SNA, Bicentennial Unit Margherita Preserve-Audubon Prairie Minnesota Valley NWR, Rapids Lake Unit Mound Spring Prairie SNA, North Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Hoffman Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Rengstorf Unit |
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