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Roger Batt notes that he has heard that Leafy Spurge seeds can be shot out of their pods for 15 feet. He asks Bonnie whether the seeds can float downstream. She explains that the seeds are spread easily with water. For example, from the point they are at right now, the Weiser River feeds several irrigation systems. Leafy spurge has been found from here to Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River. For this reason, Bonnie says that it is really important that this plant be controlled.
She also explains that one of the issues is that this plant has such a hardy root stalk that its reserves are just unreal. If this plant area was cut, grazed and sprayed there is still enough root reserve that these actions may stop the growth on the top, but roots are going to keep producing and sending up new shoots. Roger notes that this is a very resilient plant that can out compete the native plants in this area. Bonnie also explains that this plant decreases land values to an unreal level. She has been told that in some neighboring states ranches that were worth millions of dollars are worth only 10 per cent of their value and some ranchers have just had to walk away from their land.
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