Weed of the Week

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

This week’s weed is nominated by B. Harper! Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) is a native weed to all parts of North Carolina that many of us see in driveways, waste areas, along dirt paths, etc. This weed is a prostrate growing summer annual with oblong leaves growing in opposite arrangement on the stem. On spotted spurge, there is usually purple coloration in the middle of each leaf. This can often be confused with prostrate spurge which looks similar. Because this weed is in the euphorbia family, when the stems break, a milky sap seeps out. This sap can make you sick so please do not attempt to eat or taste test this! Spotted spurge has a thick tap root that can extend into the ground two feet! It is encouraged to remove these plants as soon as you see them, especially when they are young because they produce an abundant amount of seed. 

Hand weeding can take a long time because plants can form multiple seedlings in the area and mowing is not effective because this weed grows so close to the ground that the blades do not even reach it. Herbicides recommended for controlling spotted spurge is Tenacity & Echelon (pre and post emergence) or dicamba, glyphosate, & 2,4-D in spot applications for non-turf areas.

As always remember that when using chemicals, please be sure to read and follow all labels and instructions! If you need any help or have questions about how/when to apply, or which chemicals you can use and where, just call our office! We will be happy to help!

images of spotted spurge Spotted spurge next to a rock