Plant Profile: Euphorbia nutans

Spurges are annual weeds that thrive in the summer heat, although in milder regions, some varieties can endure into late autumn. These plants typically bloom during the summer and early fall, only to perish after the first frost. Their flowers are characterized by a greenish-white hue. Spurges rank among the most prevalent warm-season weeds, and they release a milky sap when their stems or leaves are damaged.

**Management Strategies for Spurges:** Spurges tend to flower at a young age and exhibit minimal to no seed dormancy, allowing their populations to grow swiftly. To mitigate seed production, it is advisable to remove these plants while they are still young. Hand weeding can be labor-intensive due to the high number of seedlings that emerge. Certain species are known to eject seeds forcefully. Most preemergence herbicides that are approved for use are effective in controlling spurges.

The nodding spurge closely resembles hyssop spurge, but it typically has larger leaves, and its younger foliage is covered in soft hairs that diminish as the plant matures. Initial studies indicate that nodding spurge is generally well-managed by most herbicides that identify "spurge" as a target species.