Colorado Noxious Weeds

Webster dictionary defines weed as plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth. One that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.

Colorado Department of Agriculture defines Colorado State noxious weeds as:

an alien plant or parts of an alien plant that have been designated by rule as being noxious or has been declared a noxious weed by a local advisory board, and meets one or more of the following criteria:

(a) Aggressively invades or is detrimental to economic crops or native plant communities;

(b) Is poisonous to livestock;

(c) Is a carrier of detrimental insects, diseases, or parasites;

(d) The direct or indirect effect of the presence of this plant is detrimental to the environmentally sound management of natural or agricultural ecosystems.

There are three levels of Colorado State noxious weeds classification: A, B, and C.

Today I want to talk about List A species. Weeds of this list are of the highest priority. They must be eradicated wherever detected. Not all species are well established in Colorado but they can exist in other neighboring states.

One of the examples of List A Colorado State noxious weeds is Myrtle spurge. It is also called donkey-tail spurge. It is a

Myrtle Spurge

perennial weed which reproduces by seed and plant fragments. Mature plants are up to 4 to 8 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The leaves are grayish green, spiral around the spreading, prostrating stems. In early spring it produces small yellow-green flowers. It is considered noxious because it competes with native vegetation. Its leaves and stems have caustic, milky latex. It can cause bad skin irritation.

Control of Myrtle Spurge

You can control Myrtle Spurge by digging or applying herbicides. Pull as much taproot as you can. Wear protective gear like gloves, eyewear, long sleeve shirt and pants to protect your skin from toxic sap. Best time to spray for Myrtle Spurge is in bud stage. The treatment has to be repeated annually for 3 to 5 years.

You can find updated list A on Colorado of Agriculture website.

Please call or contact SprayTech if you have questions about noxious weed control like Myrtle Spurge or any other Colorado State Noxious Weeds.