Introduction
 Leafy spurge is a plant that is very costly to rangeland.  Leafy spurge produces a milky substance in the stem and because of that it is undesirable to livestock.  It produces a yellow flower and disperses its seed by mechanically projecting it up to 15 feet from the plant.  It was introduced from Europe and Asia possibly from contaminated seed.  It was first found in Massachusetts in the early 1800’s and was found in North Dakota about 70 years later.  It currently is a problem in most of the northern US including Nebraska.

Environmental Impacts
 Leafy spurge overtakes natural habitats by a number of mechanisms.   It uses resources including water and sunlight more aggressively than native vegetation.  This makes the native vegetation less fit and allows the leafy spurge to overtake the habitat.  It also produces toxins that prevent other plants from entering areas where leafy spurge is established.  Leafy spurge can reproduce by seeds and by vegetative means.  Its roots have many nodules that can each produce a new plant. 

Remedial Action
 Because leafy spurge has roots that can reproduce a new plant, mechanical is difficult.  The most effective way to control leafy spurge is to have sound management practices for range land.  Over grazing or any other disturbance will open up the soil to a possible invasion of leafy spurge.  Managing water over range land is another way to manage leafy spurge.  Dry soil lessens the vigor of native plants and allows leafy spurge to move in more easily.  Spraying a systemic herbicide along with burning an infested area has been shown to control leafy spurge well.  There is a number of beetles, midges, and fleas that have been released to control leafy spurge.  They are effective, but take time to build up a population large enough to control leafy spurge.