Waste areas, pastures, roadsides, cultivated fields. Infests irrigation ditches, roadsides, fields, woodlands, shelter beds, disturbed sites, rangelands, and especially sub-irrigated meadows. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, and may occur in rich damp soils such as the bank of rivers or on dry nutrient poor soils common to the western U.S. Grows most rapidly on coarse-textured soils. Reproduction Perennial herb, reproduces by extensive slender rootstocks and seeds. Flowers May to September.
Flowers are insect pollinated.
In addition, both the crown buds and root buds can remain viable in soil for a number of years. Seeds can float, and may also be spread by animals such as birds. The majority of seeds germinate within the first two years, usually in May or June. Competition Generally spreads most rapidly in semi-arid situations and infestations are common on hillsides, dry prairies, or rangelands. Once established, leafy spurge is capable of crowding out desirable native species.