Leafy spurge is and herbaceous perennial with very deep root systems and milky sap. The sap can be distasteful to animals and potentially cause blisters. It grows to be .5-3' tall and is legally classified a noxious weed.
Leaves: Leaves are 1-4" long and are hairless, bluish green and are linear with pointed tips.
Flowers: Flowers are yellowish green and are usually paired with 7-10 pairs at the tops of the stem and usually bloom in late spring to mid summer.
Fruits & Seeds: Mature seed pods disperse seeds explosively, expelling seeds up to 20' away.
Roots: Woody rhizomes can grow as deep as 15' and can spread laterally up to 35'.
Ecological threats
- Leafy spurge will invade oak savannas, prairies, fields pastures and roadsides. They are most aggressive where soil moisture is limited.