For optimum herbicide application timing, it is important to recognize true flower emergence. Each flowering shoot produces an average of 140 seeds. Seeds are expelled up to 15 feet when capsules dry. They are viable up to eight years in soil. Water, birds, animals and people aid seed dispersal.
Seeds readily float and waterways are good sources for new infestations.
May. Seedlings quickly develop the ability to reproduce vegetatively. Perennial leafy spurge is more difficult to control than seedlings. Seedlings develop vegetative buds within 10 to 12 days after emergence. Management Leafy spurge is difficult to manage and can recover from almost any control effort. Therefore, a management scheme that combines control methods over four to five years is recommended.