A milky latex exists in all parts of the plant that can produce blisters and dermatitis in humans, cattle, and horses and may cause permanent blindness if rubbed into the eye. Protection is need when handling leafy spurge . It spreads both by seed and creeping roots and grows in many environmental conditions.
Plants develop from pinkish root buds from any depth.
Leaves are narrow and up to 4 inches long. Stems and leaves exude a milky latex when broken. Ripe seed capsules rupture when touched, throwing seeds as far as 15 feet. Sheep and goats have been used to check the rate of spread of leafy spurge. Herbicides are available for control.