leafy spurge USDA PLANTS Symbol: EUES
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Euphorbia esula (auct. non Linnaeus)
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym(s): wolf's milk
Native Range: Europe (BAIL);
Appearance
Euphorbia esula is an erect, perennial, herbaceous plant that grows from 2-3.5 ft. (0.6-1.1 m) tall. The stem is smooth and bluish-green. The plant produces a milky sap if stem is broken or a leaf is removed.
Foliage
Leaves are lance shaped, smooth and 1-4 in. (2.5-10.2 cm) long. They are arranged alternately along the stem, becoming shorter and more ovate towards the top of the stem.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in June, when yellow flowers develop in clusters at the apex of the plant.
Fruit
Fruits are 3 lobed capsules that explode when mature, propelling brown mottled ovoid seeds up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) away.
Ecological Threat
Large infestations of Euphorbia esula give the landscape a yellowish tinge due to the yellow bracts. Leafy spurge invades prairies, pastures, and other open areas. It is a major pest of national parks and nature preserves in the western United States. It can completely overtake large areas of land and displace native vegetation. This plant is native to Europe and was introduced accidentally into North America in the early 1800s as a seed contaminate.
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.
U.S. National Parks where reported invasive:
Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina)
Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming)
Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado)
Glacier National Park (Montana)
Rocky Mountains National Park (Colorado)
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)


Invasive Listing Sources: