City of Louisville, CO
Home MenuInvasive Species
Noxious Weeds
Myrtle Spurge Musk Thistle
Once established, noxious weeds cause severe ecological and agricultural impacts to our Open Space properties by decreasing biodiversity, diminishing habitat and forage for wildlife, increasing soil erosion, and decreasing crop yield. Additionally, weed management planning and implementation requires considerable investments of time and money. Our weed management is guided by Louisville's Integrated Weed Management Plan. You can support our weed control efforts through the Weed Whackers and Pulling for Louisville volunteer programs.
Myrtle spurge is a noxious weed which can invade open space and residential landscapes and is dangerous to people, wildlife, and native plants. This low-growing perennial plant is 4 to 8 inches tall with fleshy blue-green triangle-shaped leaves and yellowish-green flower-like bracts in the spring. The leaves and stems have caustic milky latex which can cause severe skin irritation and is poisonous if ingested. Spreading rapidly from gardens to natural areas, Myrtle spurge can out-compete native vegetation and reduce forage for wildlife. It is a List A noxious weed which is required for eradication by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35-5.5-101-119). If you have myrtle spurge on your property, please remove it by hand-pulling, digging, or treatments with herbicides. Wear protective gloves, long-sleeved shirt, and glasses when handling the plant and carefully dig up as much of the root system as possible and dispose of in a garbage bag (tie up the bag so that seeds cannot escape). Do not compost myrtle spurge. If you need help identifying Myrtle spurge, discover this species on Louisville Open Space, or have any questions, please contact the Open Space Division at 303-335-4742.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) pose a serious threat to our waterways. They are invasive plants and animals that live outside of their native habitats. Due to a lack of natural controls, ANS spread and reproduce rapidly causing serious damage to our local ecology, agriculture, commercial and recreational activities. Their financial impact can reach billions of dollars throughout the United States.Negative Impacts:
- Reduce native and game fish populations
- Clog boat engines
- Make lakes and rivers unusable to recreation
- Significantly impact the operations of drinking water plants and power plants by clogging pipes and other equipment
- Destroy aquatic ecosystems
- Reduce property values
- Negatively impacts conveyance of ditch water for crops
Fortunately, the City of Louisville does not currently have any ANS in our waterways but many are nearby in locations where you may recreate. It is important that we prevent their introduction into Louisville. Please review the following educational materials to learn how you can help.
Other helpful information about Aquatic Nuisance Species:
- Colorado Department of Natural Resources: Aquatic Nuisance Species Brochure
- Colorado Department of Natural Resources: Aquatic Nuisance Species Program
- US Fish and Wildlife Service: Five Ways to Protect Our Waters
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