A Surge of Spurge!
by Tim Dobbins, Summer Water Educator
Leafy spurge is a common terrestrial invasive plant located
throughout many areas of Wisconsin. Its bluish-green stem containing
alternating lance shaped leaves can assist in identifying this leafy plant.
Throughout the early summer leafy spurge can be seen with yellow flower
clusters located at the top of the stem. It prefers sunny areas with dry to
very dry soil such as fields and along roadsides.
As an invasive species, leafy spurge provides a threat to
our endemic species. Each plant can release a toxic substance into the soil
surrounding it to prevent the growth of any competing plant that may have
occurred in that area. This allows the invasive plant to spread quickly and
drown out native species. Leafy spurge has an extremely large root system and
new plants can even sprout from root fragments making removal extremely
difficult. To spread seeds, leafy spurge can open its seed capsules in an
explosive manner sending seeds over 15 feet away!
If you look close you can see the forming of the seed
capsules here!
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| Photo by Peter Rebholz |
As of July 2011 the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources has 58 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties listed for known populations of
leafy spurge. Vilas is among the 14 counties in which leafy spurge has not yet
been documented as inhabiting an established population.
However, earlier this week AIS Coordinator, Anne Kretschmann,
and I spent the day on Island Lake taking water samples at different areas
throughout lake. While boating over to one of our sample locations, Anne
noticed a small cluster of yellow flowers along the shoreline. After collecting
a small sample, we brought it back to the Discover Center and confirmed it was
indeed leafy spurge. Our next step is filling out a Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources Invasive Plant Report.
Here is one of the infestations found on Island Lake.
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| Photo by Tim Dobbins |
If you think you have
found an invasive plant that has not yet been documented, whether aquatic,
wetland, or terrestrial, you can report your findings using the links below:
Terrestrial/Wetland:
Aquatic:
Works Cited:
Distribution Map: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/LeafySpurge.html
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