Invasive leafy spurge takes hold in northern Minnesota

(AP) - A noxious weed that has plagued ranchers in the western United States is now gaining ground northern Minnesota.

The weed chokes out native grasses and can kill cattle, but it's also a public health threat, said Greg Kuyava, St. Louis County agriculture inspector.

"If you rub against it, it can make you highly susceptible to sunlight and skin problems," Kuyava said. "This is probably the worst invasive weed you can have."

He first spotted the weed in tiny clumps in Duluth a decade ago.

Now, "it's growing like mad all of a sudden, all over town," Kuyava said.

State law requires landowners immediately remove and destroy leafy spurge, but many don't.

Kuyava said the weed hitchhiked into northern Minnesota on grain trucks or trains from western states. It can be spread by graders and snowplows, vehicle tires and even shoe treads.

The weed is hardy, surviving on little water and in compacted soils. It seems to outmuscle almost every native plant it comes across. Leafy spurge's roots can dig 15 feet underground.

"It's rendered some land worthless," Kuyava said. "We may not have a lot of farming up here any more, but we have more horses than ever and it's going to have a big impact on hayland."

In other regions, weed experts used beetles imported from Europe to kill leafy spurge. It hasn't worked here.

"I've released thousands of beetles but they don't seem to like it here. Maybe because of the clay soil" or cold winters, Kuyava said.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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