Petty Spurge
Common name
Petty Spurge
Scientific Name
Euphorbia peplus
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
Originally from north Africa, temperate and tropical Asia and Europe, this annual was probably introduced as a seed contaminant or for medicinal use as it contains natural insecticides. It is common in the urban bushland and gardens and grows to about 40 cm tall. It has greeny-yellow flowers during spring and summer.
Description
Petty Spurge is an erect or procumbent annual growing to 0.4 m high. Seed has elaiosomes (fleshy appendages) allowing them to be dispersed by ants. Reproduction is by seed that is dispersed by ants, water and soil movement. It contains natural insecticides, but the sap is poisonous and an irritant.
Impact on Bushland
Not available.
Location
Petty Spurge is widely distributed in degraded and disturbed sites including coastal acacia, limestone heath, Tuart woodlands and off-shore islands from Geraldton to Esperance.
Priority for removal
Unknown:
Management (hand)
Not available.
Management (herbicide)
Spray metsulfuron methyl at 0.1 g/15 L (2.5 g/ha) + wetting agent or Glyphosate at 0.5% while actively growing. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal months for spraying are June to September but spraying can be done occasionally in May, October and November.
Flowering month/s
January, July, August, September, October, November
Flower colour/s
Green, Yellow
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4638
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4638
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
