Spurge Laurel
Daphne laureola
Washington State Classification
Class B — Control Required (Designated)
It is considered problematic in garry oak and similar ecosystems in British Columbia.
Required control in Region 1 (all western Washington counties)
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Spurge laurel is an evergreen shrub that grows to around 1.6 to 5 feet (0.5 to 1.5 meters) tall. The shrub habit can be upright or decumbent (arched at the base then spreading upward).
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and abundant at shoot tips. They are narrowly oval, being wider above the middle and are between 0.8 to 5.1 inches long. Leaves are smooth, dark green, and shiny on the top. They are lighter in color underneath.
Flowers
Flowers are small and very fragrant. Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers appear in clusters at the base of the leaves.
Fruit & Seeds
Fruit are little black berries with one seed and are poisonous.
Impact
It is considered problematic in garry oak and similar ecosystems in British Columbia. It has the ability to rapidly colonize areas forming monotypic stands and competing with native plants. All parts of the plant are highly toxic.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Spurge laurel will grow in sun or shade and looks the best with some of both. Look for it in the forest understory. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of spurge laurel in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Spurge laurel reproduces by seed, also can reproduce vegetatively through the production of root sprouts.
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Control Methods
Mechanical
- Hand pulling small infestations is effective. Larger shrubs that are too big to pull can be cut below soil line. Watch the area for resprouts and recut as needed. Also, try using a tool like a Weed Wrench, Extractigator, or Uprooter to leverage larger plants out of the ground, along with their roots. Check with your county noxious weed board to see if they have weed wrenches they can loan out.