Leafy Spurge
Euphorbia esula
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Perennial, up to 3' tall; reproduces by vigorous rootstalks and seed. Leaves are alternate, narrow, 1 to 4" long. Stems are thickly clustered. Flowers are yellowish green, small, arranged in numerous clusters and subtended by paired heart-shaped, yellow-green bracts. The entire plant contains a milky juice. Seeds are oblong, grayish to purple, contained in a 3-celled capsule, each cell containing one seed.
Pink buds which form new shoots are common on crowns and roots. Rooting depths of over 14' are reported.
Capsules explode when dry, often projecting seeds as far as 15 feet. Seeds may be viable in the soil for at least 8 years. An extensive root system containing large nutrient makes leafy spurge extremely difficult to control.