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Spurges (Chamaesyce spp., Euphorbiaceae) are summer annual weeds that flourish in warm weather, but in warmer climates some can persist into late fall. Plants flower in summer and early fall then die after frost. Flowers are greenish-white. Spurges are some of the most common warm-season weeds in container nurseries. Various species are important in different nurseries because of different weed introductions, production practices, and weed management strategies. Each exudes a milky sap when stems or leaves are broken.
Control Guidelines for Spurges: Because spurges flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Remove plants when young to reduce seed production. They are time consuming to hand weed due to the number of seedlings that form. Some species may forcefully discharge seeds. Spurges are well controlled by most preemergence nursery herbicides containing a dinitroaniline, but less well controlled by oxadiazon or oxyfluorfen.
Garden Spurge (Chamaesyce hirta or Euphorbia hirta). This species is a prostrate to ascending spurge with distinctively uneven leaves and a large seedhead. There are two forms, one with small, light green leaves and one with larger leaves often maroon in color. It is a prolific seeder. Seed have little or no dormancy and germinate quickly. Garden spurge is well controlled by preemergence herbicides labeled for spotted spurge control. Garden spurge is most common in southern nurseries, but it is spreading. [TOP]
