Introduction
Black Henbane
Buffalobur
Canada Thistle
Common Crupina
Dalmatian Toadflax
Diffuse Knapweed
Dyer's Woad
Field Bindweed
Hoary Cress
Johnsongrass
Jointed Goatgrass
Leafy Spurge
Matgrass
Meadow Hawkweed
Meadow Knapweed
Milium
Musk Thistle
Orange Hawkweed
Perennial Pepperweed
Perennial Sowthistle
Poison Hemlock
Puncturevine
Purple Loosestrife
Rush Skeletonweed
Russian Knapweed
Scotch Broom
Scotch Thistle
Silverleaf Nightshade
Skeletonleaf Bursage
Spotted Knapweed
Syrian Beancaper
Tansy Ragwort
Toothed Spurge
Yellow Starthistle
Yellow Toadflax

Idaho OnePlan recommends the website of the Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign as the best resource for up-to-date information about Idaho's noxious weeds, and their control.
Source for this page: Idaho's Noxious Weeds by Robert H. Callihan & Timothy W. Miller

BACKGROUND

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) was brought to the U.S. from Eurasia about 1897. A milky latex exists in all parts of the plant that can produce blisters and dermatitis in humans, cattle, and horses and may cause permanent blindness if rubbed into the eye. Protection is need when handling leafy spurge. It spreads both by seed and creeping roots and grows in many environmental conditions.

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DESCRIPTION

Leafy spurge is a perennialPlant that lives for more than 2 growing seasons weed with roots often exceeding 20 feet in depth. Plants develop from pinkish root buds from any depth. Leaves are narrow and up to 4 inches long. Stems grow up to 3 feet in height, and in midsummer are tipped by several pairs of showy, yellowish-green, heart-shaped bractsLeaflike structure at the base of flowers or leaves (each up to 1/3 inch across), which enclose a small flower. Stems and leaves exude a milky latex when broken. Ripe seed capsules rupture when touched, throwing seeds as far as 15 feet.

DISTRIBUTION

Found throughout the West.

CONTROL

Biological control agents (several stem/root boring beetles, a shoot tip gall midge, a stem boring moth, and 3 root/defoliating flea beetles) have been inconsistent in Idaho. Sheep and goats have been used to check the rate of spread of leafy spurge. Herbicides are available for control.