Notes From Nelson

Leafy spurge is in full bloom and very easily noticed right now. It's gotten a good, early start and will really take advantage of the recent rains.

Leafy Spurge is one of the most serious weeds in this several-state area. And, this seems to be a good year for it (again).

Leafy Spurge is a deep-rooted perennial weed that spreads by seeds and underground roots. The seeds are produced in three-celled capsules, which explode when ripe, and spread the seeds 12 to 15 feet in each direction. The seeds are carried down draws by water and can be distributed by birds, animals, and man. Also, hay that has been hauled into and through the area through the years has undoubtedly been responsible for getting new patches started.

After the seed germinates, the plant develops rapidly. It consists of a shoot, transition zone, and primary vertical zone. The primary vertical root produces lateral roots and feeder roots. The laterals grow horizontally and then turn downward to form secondary vertical roots, which in turn produce lateral and feeder roots. Adventitious buds formed on any of these roots form stems, which develop into shoots above ground.

The adventitious buds are visible on the root of a one-week-old seedling, but the bud of a four-day-old seedling, grown under ideal conditions, is capable of producing a new shoot if the old shoot is removed. Buds are formed on lateral roots less than 90 days after the seedling emerges. Crowns of buds, at or just below the soil line, are formed on the stems produced from lateral roots and on the hypocotyls of the main axis of the plant. They produce new shoots if top growth is removed.

One Leafy Spurge plant is capable of turning into a whole patch in a very short time. A fifteen month old seedling is capable of producing a primary root over five feet long with over 200 buds, over 30 feet of lateral roots, and as many as 70 feet of branch roots with a total of well over 1000 adventitious buds. So, early control is a must.

Always be on the lookout for leafy spurge – the earlier control methods start, the higher the success will be in getting it under control. Leafy spurge is not too tough to identify. It has narrow leaves that are one and a half to four inches long, flowers are a greenish yellow, seed is contained in three-celled capsules, and the entire plant contains white milky juice. If you have questions on weed identification, bring a sample to the Extension Office. Or, if you have questions on chemical control recommendations, give us a call.

And remember, state law requires landowners to control Leafy Spurge.