Prostrate spurge control - Ask Extension
We seem to get this common invasive plant mostly in our gravel driveway. How important is it to pull it/try to control it? (i.e., what are the downsid...
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Prostrate spurge control #873672
Asked June 18, 2024, 5:11 PM EDT
We seem to get this common invasive plant mostly in our gravel driveway. How important is it to pull it/try to control it? (i.e., what are the downsides to ignoring it) We don’t use herbicides in our yard but I’ve read that one can put agricultural vinegar on it or the Dawn soap/epsom salt/ vinegar combo. Your thoughts?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
It can be a troublesome annual weed as it produces many, many seeds each season. Anything you can do to prevent it from reseeding itself will be helpful. The downside of ignoring it is that it will continue produce seeds that may expand the area it covers.
This particular spurge is called Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata). The key identifying feature is the red spot on the leaves. Here is some information about this plant - https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7445.html
Check out the "Management - Cultural Control" section of the above site for potential control methods although these may be difficult as the plants are in your driveway. If you try any hand removal, ensure you wear gloves as the sap can be a skin irritant.
If you're going to try a vinegar/salt/dish soap mixture, it would be safest to use 1 gallon household vinegar (around 5% acetic acid), 1 cup salt, and 1 tablespoon dish soap. Using vinegars with a higher acetic acid concentration (like cleaning vinegar or agricultural vinegar) can be be hazardous with potential for burns and eye damage. You may need repeat applications of the vinegar/salt/dish soap mixture but it would be an inexpensive substitute for a regulated (and more expensive) herbicide.
This particular spurge is called Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata). The key identifying feature is the red spot on the leaves. Here is some information about this plant - https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7445.html
Check out the "Management - Cultural Control" section of the above site for potential control methods although these may be difficult as the plants are in your driveway. If you try any hand removal, ensure you wear gloves as the sap can be a skin irritant.
If you're going to try a vinegar/salt/dish soap mixture, it would be safest to use 1 gallon household vinegar (around 5% acetic acid), 1 cup salt, and 1 tablespoon dish soap. Using vinegars with a higher acetic acid concentration (like cleaning vinegar or agricultural vinegar) can be be hazardous with potential for burns and eye damage. You may need repeat applications of the vinegar/salt/dish soap mixture but it would be an inexpensive substitute for a regulated (and more expensive) herbicide.
