Curlycup gumweed, a plant native to North America, has spread significantly beyond its original range. Its presence is now notable across significant parts of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in temperate regions. Curlycup gumweed has been successfully introduced to a variety of environments in Eurasia, adapting well to diverse ecological niches within these vast continents.

Curlycup gumweed contains toxic selenium. It poses a toxicity risk to dogs and cats if ingested, causing gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms in humans include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, irritability, nail discoloration, hair loss, and foul breath. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if pets exhibit signs of poisoning after ingesting the plant.

Native to western America, curlycup gumweed has spread across North America and has also been established in Europe. It is not listed as invasive at the state or federal level in the United States. However, it is a habitat generalist and each plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds, which allows it to spread rapidly and form dense stands in a variety of habitats. Curlycup gumweed also contains a carcinogenic compound. It is not consistently controlled by herbicides and increases in prevalence with grazing. However, it does not tolerate frequent disturbance, so repeated application of mechanical measures may be able to control populations of curlycup gumweed.

The best season for removal of curlycup gumweed is spring or early summer. The weed needs to be removed before it reaches its flowering stage, as this is when it disperses its seeds and can spread more rapidly.