Ability to Respond Total:15 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Has spread rapidly in other northern states, but not as fast in California. This may, in part, be due to the active CDFA control program.
3
Spread Amount
Leafy spurge is especially problematic in the north-central states and adjacent region of Canada. In all, nearly 3 million acres of rangeland in 29 states are infested, with about 1.1 million acres infested in North Dakota alone.
4
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
In the Dakotas and other highly infested states, lands invaded by leafy spurge renders the land completely unusable from a soil and water profile standpoint. Causes lower water tables and erosion.
5
Agricultural
Minor problem of alfalfa, but significant potential to damage livestock production systems.
4
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
Mildly toxic to animals.
1
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
17
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Milky latex and large size makes it fairly easy to detect.
4
Control
Very difficult to control in California as the primary herbicide (picloram) is not registered here. Biological control insects available, but their success is variable.
1
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
As an A listed plant by CDFA, some oversight can prevent its introduction. There are general quarantine restrictions on feed, etc and high priority at border stations.
4
Control
CDFA mandates control as the plant is A rated.
4
Outreach
A great deal of educational material is available, although populations are so small in California that it is not widely distributed. On both Cal-IPC and CDFA lists.
