Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Description: Colony forming perennial, usually 1'-2' in height, with tough woody stems that exude a milky sap when injured.
Life Cycle: Clonal perennial
Habitat: Rangelands, pastures, roadsides, uncultivated perennial crops, and reduced-tillage crops.
Leaves: First few leaves are opposite, subsequent leaves alternate. Thin, narrow, entire, blueish green leaves that are smooth and hairless and 1"-3" in length.
Flower: Flat topped inflorescences with yellow clustered bracts that form a cup-like structure.
Fruit: 3-celled capsule that explode at maturity.
Root: Vertical and horizontal fleshy roots that remain attached to crowns.
The problem is…mildly toxic to cattle who will avoid areas contaminated with 10% or more of the weed.
