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Spurge Laurel

Daphne laureola

Updated Oct 02, 2023

Make a Positive Identification

Spurge laurel is an evergreen shrub. It has dark green, shiny leaves that grow in dense whorls.
Flowers are greenish-yellow and form in late winter to early spring.
Spurge laurel spreads quickly by seeds and spreading stems to form dense thickets. It often invades the understory in open forested areas.

Spurge Laurel

Species: Spurge laurel

"Daphne laureola" by murray_dawson is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Spurge laurel is an evergreen shrub. It grows 2–4 feet tall. It has dark green, shiny leaves that grow in dense whorls. Its cut stems produce a strong odor.

Species: Spurge laurel

"Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola)" by gailhampshire is licensed under CC by 2.0.

Small greenish-yellow flowers grow in clusters underneath the leaves. Flowers form in late winter to early spring. The blossoms are very fragrant.

Species: Spurge laurel

Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org

Green fruits form in the spring.

Species: Spurge laurel

Patrick Breen, Oregon State University

The fruit darkens to black in the summer.

LOOK-ALIKES: Mediterranean spurge, Rhododendron & Daphne

Species: Mediterranean spurge

Fritz Geller-Grimm / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)

Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias) is a common landscape plant. Both it and spurge laurel have dark green leaves in a whorled arrangement. The leaves of Mediterranean spurge have a soft, dull surface. The sap is thick and white. Spurge laurel’s leaves are smooth and shiny.

Species: Mediterranean spurge

iStock

Mediterranean spurge’s flowers form a large head at the end of stems. They are green with a cupped bract. Spurge laurel’s flowers grow under its leaves. They are green with four petals.

Species: Rhododendron

"Rhododendron maximum 05 4372" by Bruce Kirchoff is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Rhododendron and spurge laurel shrubs grow waxy green leaves. Rhododendron leaves can appear whorled, but grow in a tight alternate pattern on the stem. Spurge laurel leaves grow in a whorled pattern. Rhododendron flowers grow from a central bud above the leaves. Spurge laurel’s flowers grow under its leaves.

Species: Winter laurel

"#5215 Daphne (ジンチョウゲ)" by Nemo's great uncle is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Winter laurel (Daphne odora) is a common landscape plant. Varieties with solid green leaves resemble spurge laurel (Daphne laureola). The flowers of winter laurel grow in a cluster above the leaves. They are white or pink. Spurge laurel’s flowers grow under its leaves. They are green.

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Spurge Laurel Benefits

Spurge laurel is planted as a landscape plant.

Spurge Laurel Risks

Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds in their droppings. This is a common way that spurge laurel spreads into natural areas.
A dense stand of spurge laurel displaces and excludes desirable forest understory plants. It is a significant threat to rare oak woodland habitats.
All parts of spurge laurel are poisonous to humans and dogs and cats.
The plant’s sap irritates the skin and can cause contact dermatitis.

Risk Card

Does it cause harm?

Adults & Children

High

Property

High

Pets

Some

Annoyance

Some

Environment

High

Action Highly Recommended

TAKE ACTION

Take action to control spurge laurel on property you manage.

Do I need to take action?

Yes. If you have spurge laurel on your property, take action to control its spread.
Don’t allow spurge laurel to establish on your property. Remove it before plants can spread by seed or spreading stems.

What if I do nothing?
Spurge laurel dominates an area when left unmanaged. It displaces and excludes desirable forest understory plants.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.

Solutions for Spurge Laurel

Early Detection and Rapid Response

Watch for spurge laurel on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Physical Removal of Plants and Non-Chemical Options

Pull or dig out individual plants with hand tools. Remove as much of the root as possible.
Dispose of berries in a plastic bag. Put berries in the trash. Other plant parts can be composted.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control spurge laurel when used according to label directions.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

Monitor your property each year. Root fragments will continue to grow and produce new plants. Remove new growth when found.

Method	Does it work?	Is it safe?	Recommendation
A Physically Remove Plants	Effective	Moderate risk	Recommended
B Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate	Effective	Moderate risk	Use if Necessary
C If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
D Prevent Spurge Laurel

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Dig out individual plants and small patches. Remove the roots. Remaining roots may regrow stems.

Does it work?	Effective Manual removal of spurge laurel is effective. Remaining roots may regrow stems. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	High effort Cut and remove stems to gain access to roots. Dig out the roots with tools. Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?	Moderate risk Spurge laurel sap is a skin irritant. Wear gloves and protective clothing. Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants, and eye protection when handling spurge laurel.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

Dig out plants in the winter or spring when the soil is moist.
Remove as much root crown as possible from the soil.
Use shovels, picks, and similar tools.
Use of a Weed Wrench™ or similar tool makes it easier to remove larger shrubs.

Worker using weed wrench tool to remove a shrub

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Manual removal of spurge laurel is effective but labor-intensive. Using a Weed Wrench™ or similar tool makes it easier to remove larger shrubs.

Worker using a shovel to dig out small spurge laurel shrubs

City of Portland - permission needed (or better photo)

Dig out plants in the winter or spring when the soil is moist. Remove as much root crown as possible from the soil. Use shovels, picks, and similar tools.

SPURGE LAUREL REMOVAL TIPS

The best time to pull plants out of the ground is following rain and before warm, dry weather. Pulling spurge laurel plants out of moist soil is recommended.
For larger shrubs, cut the plant below the soil line or dig out the roots. Expect regrowth.
Soil disturbance encourages seeds to germinate. Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible to minimize seed germination.
Return to the site and kill seedlings.
Replant the area to keep seeds in the soil from germinating.
Dispose of berries in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the trash.
Roots and stems can be composted onsite. Or dispose of them in your green bin or local green waste composting facility.
Don’t burn spurge laurel plant material. The smoke is toxic.
Spurge laurel sap is a skin irritant. Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants, and eye protection when handling spurge laurel.

Soil Disturbance and Erosion

Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing spurge laurel.
Regrade the soil after digging roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
Replant the area to shade spurge laurel seedlings.

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

Chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicide products that contain the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively kill spurge laurel when used according to label directions.

Does it work?	Effective Several years of monitoring and effort are necessary to get rid of spurge laurel. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Apply herbicide to spurge laurel when it is actively growing. Look for regrowth and new seedlings. Control it as needed.
What's the risk?	Moderate risk Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know. Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	Using herbicides includes some amount of risk. The lowest risk comes with using alternative methods. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you: Get it on your skin Breathe it in Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children) Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate, used individually or in a mixture, are effective chemical treatments for spurge laurel. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely — stumps and roots won’t grow.”
Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating spurge laurel that is growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas.
Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray during the same time period.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. Text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds, trees, shrubs....”
A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray January through March.
Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

Premixed products are available in hardware stores and garden centers.
Apply herbicide to spurge laurel when it is actively growing. Treat it before fruit develops to minimize seed production.
Common herbicide application techniques include foliar, cut-stump, and basal-bark application. See examples below.
Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray in the same time period.
Look for spurge laurel regrowth and new seedlings. Control it as needed.

Minimize the potential impact of herbicides to bees and other pollinators. Treat spurge laurel plants before they flower. If plants are blossoming when you need to treat them, use the cut-stump or basal-bark herbicide application technique. Avoid spraying pollinators directly. For more information, see OSU’s How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides.

Herbicide Application Methods

The cut-stump application method is recommended for spurge laurel.

Gloved hand spraying herbicide with dye on cut stump

Lyon Duong, UF/IFAS

Cut-Stump Application

Cut stems as close to the ground level as possible.
Remove sawdust and debris from the cut.
Apply concentrated herbicide to the area just inside the bark. This area has living tissue (cambium) that will transport the herbicide to the roots.
Apply herbicide as soon as possible after cutting the stem.
For cut-stump applications, triclopyr is more effective during the early summer. Glyphosate is more effective when applied from mid-summer to leaf fall.

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution

BrianLasenby, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

Read the entire label front to back.
Follow the instructions.
Review the instructions even for brands you know.
Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
Use a magnifying glass if needed.
Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Pollinators

Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
Do not spray on bees or insects.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Don’t Spray into Water

It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.

Storage & Disposal

Store in a secure area away from children.
Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
Never pour down any drain or waterway.
Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).