Studies on the Reproductive Biology of Leafy Spurge (Euphoriba esula)

Abstract

Studies on the development of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) were conducted in the field and growth room. Sixteen months after planting in field plots, leafy spurge plants arising from underground bud-producing root segments, transplanted seedlings, or seeds averaged 96, 83, and 136 shoots per plant, respectively, when grown free of interference from other vegetation. A number of plants arising from each source flowered the first year, and all plants flowered and produced seed the second year after planting. When grown in a perennial grass sod consisting of crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult.] and smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), no plant flowered or produced additional shoots. Soil moisture was less where a dense sod was present. In the growth room, total dry matter of tops and roots was greatest at a soil temperature of 18.3 C or higher, and plant height was greatest at 33.3 C. An early emerging crop might suppress leafy spurge by utilizing the available soil moisture early in the growing season.