Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T15:54:26.900Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on the Reproductive Biology of Leafy Spurge (Euphoriba esula)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

L. A. Morrow*
Affiliation:
U.S. Dep. Agric., Sci. Ed. Admin., Ag. Res. Mandan, North Dakota

Abstract

Studies on the development of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) were conducted in the field and growth room. Sixteen months after planting in field plots, leafy spurge plants arising from underground bud-producing root segments, transplanted seedlings, or seeds averaged 96, 83, and 136 shoots per plant, respectively, when grown free of interference from other vegetation. A number of plants arising from each source flowered the first year, and all plants flowered and produced seed the second year after planting. When grown in a perennial grass sod consisting of crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult.] and smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), no plant flowered or produced additional shoots. Soil moisture was less where a dense sod was present. In the growth room, total dry matter of tops and roots was greatest at a soil temperature of 18.3 C or higher, and plant height was greatest at 33.3 C. An early emerging crop might suppress leafy spurge by utilizing the available soil moisture early in the growing season.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1979 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Bakke, A. L. 1936. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. Iowa State Coll. Agric. Exp. Stn. Res. Bull. 198:207246.Google Scholar
2. Coupland, R. T. and Alex, J. F. 1954. Distribution of the underground parts of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). Can. J. Agric. Sci. 34:161176.Google Scholar
3. Coupland, R. T. and Alex, J. F. 1955. Distribution of vegetative buds on the underground parts of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). Can. J. Agric. Sci. 35:7682.Google Scholar
4. Coupland, R. T., Selleck, G. W., and Alex, J. F. 1955. The reproductive capability of vegetative buds on the underground parts of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). Can. J. Agric. Sci. 35:477484.Google Scholar
5. Hanson, H. C. and Rudd, V. E. 1933. Leafy spurge: Life history and habits. North Dakota Agric. Coll. Exp. Stn. Bull. 266:124.Google Scholar
6. Raju, M. V. S., Steeves, T. A., and Coupland, R. T. 1963. Developmental studies on Euphorbia esula L.: Morphology of the root system. Can. J. Bot. 41:579589.Google Scholar
7. Selleck, G. W., Coupland, R. T., and Frankton, C. 1962. Leafy spurge in Saskatchewan. Ecol. Monogr. 32:124.Google Scholar
8. Wicks, G. A. and Derscheid, L. A. 1958. Leafy spurge seed maturation studies. Proc. North Cent. Weed Control Conf. 14:1718.Google Scholar