Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) Spread in Iowa

Authors

S. C. Huerd, Iowa State University
S. E. Taylor, Iowa State UniverstiyFollow

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula, Biological control, Iowa

Abstract

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.), a noxious perennial weed spreading south from the northern Great Plains into Iowa, is considered a threat to Iowa's Prairie preserves because it is an aggressive non-native plant that dominates the landscape through rapid sexual and asexual reproduction. Methods to control leafy spurge include cultural and chemical controls, and biological controls are currently being developed. In 1992 and 1993 we surveyed the extent of leafy spurge spread in Iowa and found 26 of 99 Iowa counties with leafy spurge populations. Iowa's leafy spurge populations are rapidly expanding on untilled lands such as roadsides, especially in the Loess Hills and m northeastern Iowa. Integration of cultural, chemical and biological controls combined with public education are needed to control its spread.

Publication Date

March 1998

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

105

Issue

1

First Page

27

Last Page

29

Copyright

© Copyright 1998 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Huerd, S. C. and Taylor, S. E. (1998) "Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) Spread in Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 105(1), 27-29.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol105/iss1/6