Leafy Spurge

Plant Info

Also known as:
Scientific name:	Euphorbia esula
Family:	Spurge (Euphorbiaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	Europe
Habitat:	sun; fields, along roads
Bloom season:	spring, summer
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

A flat cluster of many 1/8-inch pale green flowers with yellowish-green bracts that look like large round petals. At first glance it doesn't appear there are any flowers, due to the green coloring.

Leaves:

Very narrow leaves 1 to 3 inches long, pointed at the tip; alternate attachment to the stalk with no leaf stem.

Notes:

Leafy Spurge is on the noxious weed list for Minnesota and can be hard to eradicate. Special beetles are now being released to eat it in an attempt to control its aggressive growth.

More photos

• a small patch in the middle of a field

More green wildflowers. All photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton, MN, June-July 2006.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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