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GREATjU <br />RIVERlRIPW <br />GREENING <br />Chemical <br />Treating leafy spurge is tough in any situation, but when it occurs in an established prairie, it is <br />particularly difficult to manage without collateral damage to desirable native species, even when <br />carefully attempting to spot treat it. If the leafy spurge occurs in a discreet area and not throughout the <br />unit, it may be necessary to sacrifice some forbs to obtain control. A mix of chemicals will be more <br />effective for treatment. Glyphosate, quinclorac, and 2,4-D are an effective mix when applied in June at <br />flowering and again in September prior to senescence. Glyphosate, of course is a broad spectrum <br />herbicide and will kill both graminoids and forbs, so must be used with caution or avoided in high quality <br />areas. Leafy spurge can also be treated with broadleaf specific herbicides only to avoid impacts to native <br />grasses. Chemical treatment will be needed for several years. Efficacy of chemical treatments may be <br />improved when combined prescribed fire. <br />Biological <br />Biological control agents can be obtained and released to control spurge. The flea beetle, Aphthona <br />lacertosa, has been found to be particularly effective against leafy spurge in Minnesota. Adult flea <br />beetles feed on leafy spurge foliage, while the larvae feed on the roots, damaging or killing the plant. <br />Control can take 3-10 years to achieve depending on the size of the site, density of the invasion, and <br />other environmental factors. Chemical treatments can negatively impact the biological control agents, <br />so consideration should be given to these impacts prior to incorporating herbicide treatments. <br />Cultural <br />Leafy spurge can invade and thrive in established prairies. The best method of control is prevention. <br />Long-term Management <br />Once leafy spurge has established a seed bank, it is very difficult to eradicate. Biological control can be <br />used to maintain populations at low levels. <br />Leafy Spurge <br />April May June <br />July <br />Aug Sept Oct Nov <br />Dec - <br />Mar <br />Burn* <br />Foliar Herbicide <br />Mow <br />Don't mow <br />Flowering <br />Motherwort (Leonurus cordiaca) <br />Description <br />Motherwort is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the mint family. Originally from Eurasia, it is widely <br />established around the world due to its use as a medicinal herb. Motherwort is found in both sun and <br />shade, often in highly disturbed sites, and is becoming particularly common and problematic in many <br />woodland sites. Motherwort is 2-4 feet tall. As is typical of members of the mint family, the stem is <br />square and the leaves are opposite. The leaves are variable in shape, with 3 or 5 sharply -pointed lobes, <br />and deeply toothed margins. The flowers are arranged in whorls at the nodes where the leaf stalks meet <br />