Some of the leaves have a reddish spot in the center. A very similar species is prostrate spurge. This refers to its low growth, which typically forms vegetative mats. Spotted spurge does not root at the stem nodes. All of the spurges produce a milky sap from the foliage or stems if they are broken. Knotweed is another common weed found in the same locations, but it does not produce the milky sap.
Spurge reproduces by seeds. Seeds start to germinate in spring and continue through the summer. Flowers are produced from July to September. The flowers are small and for the most part inconspicuous.
Since spurge has a shallow root system, hand removal of a few plants in ornamental beds is an option.
There are a number of pre-emergent herbicides registered for use:
- dithiopyr (Dimension)
- flumioxazin (BroadStar/Sureguard – ornamental beds)
- oxadiazon (Ronstar – not for use on residential turf)
- oxyfluorfen+oryzalin (Rout – ornamental beds)
- oxyfluorfen+pendimethalin (OH2) or pendimethalin (Pendulum)
For post-emergent applications, the following herbicides provide control:
- diquat dibromide (Reward)
- flumioxazin (Sureguard)
- glyphosate (Roundup, Touchdown Pro)
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