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Weed Wednesday Spotted Spurge

June 1, 2022

Another day, another weed. Happy Weed Wednesday! This week we want to talk about a warm-season annual weed called Spotted Spurge.

Weed Wednesday: Spotted Spurge

Another day, another weed. Happy Weed Wednesday! This week we want to talk about a warm-season annual weed called Spotted Spurge. Did you know this weed is considered a pioneer species? This means that it is a part of a group of many other plants that are considered the first to colonize previously disrupted or compacted soil areas. In the typical urban landscape, it is most often seen on the edges of lawn areas or in landscape bed areas.

How to Get Rid of Spotted Spurge in the Lawn

Spotted Spurge is a low-growing weed that tends to grow well in sunny areas, disturbed soils, open soil areas where turf may struggle, and often forms a dense mat over the area it’s growing in. It will usually appear in your yard in late May with blooms appearing from June to October. It has numerous long, purple, or red creeping stems which will ooze milky fluid when broken and can grow up to 20 inches long. It’s smooth and slightly hairy leaves are typically reddish-green or a dark green color often with a maroon or dark purple spot in the middle. Once it blooms, its flowers are grouped in small “flower like” cups and are typically white or pink.

Since this weed reproduces by seed it is important to ensure a pre-emergent in the late spring is applied. If the weed still germinates, applying post-emergence treatments while it is still small will typically help gain control. You can also help eliminate this weed by mulching (in bed areas) and ensuring your lawn and soil are healthy. That’s where we come in.

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Spotted Spurge Map