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Invasive Plants
- Perennial Sow Thistle
- Creeping Thistle
- Oxeye Daisy
- Common Tansy
- Spotted Knapweed
- Narrowleaf Hawksbeard
- Scentless Chamomile
- Leafy Spurge
- Foxtail Barley
- Altai Wild Rye
- Crested Wheat Grass
- Smooth Brome
- Quackgrass
- Reed Canary Grass
- Bird Vetch
- Lucerne
- Sweetclover
- Greater Butter-and-Eggs
- Dalmatica Toadflas
Leafy Spurge
Common name: Leafy Spurge
Scientific name: Euphorbia esula
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Description
Leafy Spurge is a deep-rooted perennial with tiny greenish-yellow flowers. When the plant is injured, a milky white sap will flow out that may cause severe irritation to human skin. The plant mainly multiplies by growing shoots from the extensive root system. It may also grow from seed.
Range in Yukon
Known only from the vicinity of Dawson City.
Similar Species
Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias), which is a non-invasive garden plant in Haines, Alaska.
Ecological Impact
This invasive plant can form large monospecific stands. Grazing animals avoid it.
Control
Leafy spurge is extremely difficult to remove once established due to its extensive root system, making it one of the top 10 invasive plants in North America. Plants require depletion of nutrient reserves in the root system, prevention of seed production and prevention of dispersal. Burning and mowing are ineffective. Annual herbicide application and hand-pulling may deplete the root system. Rhizomes and flowering plants must be disposed of through burning.
Contact Environment Yukon Government of Yukon Box 2703 (V-5N) Bruce Bennett, Wildlife Viewing Biologist Phone: 867-667-5331 Email: bruce.bennett@gov.yk.ca |