Spurge Flax
Thymelaea passerina
Washington State Classification
Class B — Control Required (Designated)
Spurge flax is known as a common weed in its native habitat.
Required control in Region 1 (all western Washington counties)
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Spurge flax is an herbaceous annual with a fibrous taproot. The plant ranges from 2.5 to 24 inches tall. It is slender, wiry and upright. It grows as one main stem, then commonly branches in the upper part of the plant. The plant turns red in the fall.
Leaves
The leaves are alternate and leathery. They are small and narrow with a linear tapered point.
Flowers
Flowers are greenish, tubular and 2-3 mm long. They have 4 sepals, no petals and 8 stamens. Stamens appear in two whorls of four. Below each flower, two very small bracts arise from a tuft of tiny white hairs.
Fruit & Seeds
The fruit is a shiny, black achene. The round seeds are brown to black, 2-3 mm long.
Impact
Spurge flax is known as a common weed in its native habitat. In Okanogan County, where it was discovered in Washington State, it infested 600 acres before it was noticed and identified. Spurge flax is aggressive and is not palatable to livestock.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
It grows in rangeland areas, disturbed sites and dry pastures. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of spurge flax in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Spurge flax reproduces by seed.
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