Sun Spurge

Biological Name:

Euphorbia maculata (Sun-Spurge)

Natural Habitat:

Sun-Spurge: This plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, fields, and along roadsides.

Description:

Sun-Spurge also known as Euphorbia is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is an annual herb that can grow up to two feet tall and it has small oval-shaped leaves and small yellow or orange flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is known for its milky sap which is toxic to humans and animals and it is often found in disturbed or degraded habitats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Sun spurge invasive?
A: Sun spurge is an invasive weed with strong spreading ability. Sometimes, it is planted in the garden as an ornamental plant, but it always escapes to the wild and affects the growth of other plants.
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Q: Should I get rid of spurge?
A: To help lessen the chances of it coming back, remove spotted spurge before it has a chance to flower and produce seeds. Small patches of spotted spurge plants can also be killed using a read-to-use lawn weed killer, like ScottsScottsScotts was founded in 1868 by Orlando M. Scott as a premium seed company for the U.S. agricultural industry. In the early 1900s, the company began a lawn grass seed business for homeowners, and in 1924, became the first company to ship grass seed products directly to stores.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Scotts_Miracle-Gro_CompanyScotts Miracle-Gro Company – Wikipedia® Spot Weed Control for Lawns.
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Q: What happens if you touch spurge?
A: Skin exposures to spurge sap are much more common than mouth exposures and typically result in redness of the exposed skin, swelling, and blistering. If someone has had a skin exposure to spurge sap, have them remove any contaminated clothing and gently wash the exposed skin with soap and water.
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Q: What kills spurge best?
A: If you have missed your application window for Barricade or you are starting to see spurge growing on your property, use the selective, post-emergent herbicide Fahrenheit. Fahrenheit offers great control spurge and other hard-to-kill weeds, and it is a selective herbicide, meaning you can safely apply it to turf areas.
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Q: How do you get rid of spurge?
A: Use A Post-Emergent Herbicide Treatment Post-emergent herbicides treat weeds that have bloomed and are active in a lawn. By choosing a post-emergent herbicide treatment that is labeled for spurge, such as Ferti-Lome Weed-Out or Dismiss Turf Herbicide, you can kill spurge weeds.
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Q: Is spurge a good ground cover?
A: Most spurge will spread by underground rhizomes, creating dense mats of foliage. This makes it a great option as a groundcover or as a filler between taller plants.
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Q: How toxic is spurge?
A: Myrtle spurge is poisonous if ingested, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This plant exudes toxic, milky latex, which can cause severe skin and eye irritations. Wearing gloves, long sleeves, and shoes is highly recommended when in contact with Myrtle spurge, as all plant parts are con- sidered poisonous.
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Q: What is spurge good for?
A: Overview. Cypress spurge is a plant. The flowering plant and root are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take cypress spurge for breathing disorders, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
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Q: Should spurge be cut back?
A: These designations ultimately influence how a spurge is pruned back. It is very important not to cut back the stems of caulescent types in autumn; if you do, they will not flower the next spring. The acaulescent types go dormant in autumn, so the whole of the plant can be cut back to the ground.
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Q: Are spurge plants poisonous to dogs?
A: Some people refer to the plants as “sticks of fire.”” They can be small enough to fit in a container or tree-sized. This plant’s white milky sap is toxic to pets and humans. If sap makes contact with the skin a painful rash develops at the point of contact.
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Q: Is spurge annual or perennial?
A: A long-blooming, airy perennial, it tolerates full sun and dry soil. Used as a filler plant in native plantings, it mixes well with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, beardtongue, butterfly weed and many grasses. It grows to 1-1/2 feet. Griffith’s spurge (E.
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Q: What kills spurge?
A: Select a pre-emergent herbicide that is labeled for spurge, such as Dimension 2EW, Prodiamine 65 WDG, or Ferti-Lome. Check the label of your pre-emergent to ensure it is safe to use on your grass type.
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Q: Is spurge plant invasive?
A: Leafy spurge is an invasive species. Leafy spurge is on the Control noxious weed list meaning you must prevent the spread of this plant. Leafy spurge is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, from dry to moist and sunny to shade. It is found in roadsides and non-cropland disturbed environments.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.