The plant currently infests more than 860,000 acres of range and pastureland in North Dakota and 550,000 acres in Montana. Less severe infestations occur in Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Leafy spurge has the potential to spread to thousands of additional acres if left uncontrolled.
Leafy spurge can reduce cattle carrying capacity by 50 to 75 percent. Nearly 50 percent of the loss is the result of a decrease in grass production because of competition from leafy spurge. There is an additional loss since cattle prefer not to graze in areas infested with the plant. Distribution Leafy spurge is found worldwide with the exception of Australia. It is believed to have originated in Asia, and presently grows as far north as the Scandinavian countries and as far south as Italy and Spain.