Dove Milk Euphorbia hirta
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaesyce gemella
- Chamaesyce hirta
- Euphorbia gemella
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh HER-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Spurges are annual weeds that flourish in warm weather, but in warmer climates, they can persist into late fall. Plants produce greenish-white flowers in summer through early fall, then die after frost. Spurges are some of the most common warm-season weeds in container nurseries. Also commonly known as Dove Milk, Euphorbia hirta exudes a milky sap when stems or leaves are broken.
Because spurges flower when young, have little or no seed dormancy, and fast germination rates, weed populations can increase rapidly. When possible, remove plants when young to reduce seed production before too many of the inevitable seedlings are produced. Some species may forcefully discharge seeds creating a larger “crop.” If hand-weeding is not a viable option, a preemergent herbicide may be used according to label directions.
This species of Garden Spurge is prostrate to ascending with distinctively uneven leaves and a large seedhead. There are two forms: one with small, light green leaves and one with larger leaves often maroon in color.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- hirta
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Traditional medicinal herb in some tropical countries.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and Subtropical America
- Distribution:
- Anywhere temperatures are warm enough for seed germination, found widespread at low altitudes throughout the tropics and subtropics.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is in the form of a hairy yellow capsule. Fruit from a single plant can produce up to 3000 tiny, oblong, four-sided seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny flowers are in a ball shape. They are generally green and white but can also have a bit of red. Globular clusters of tiny, monoecious (unisexual), green/whiteto reddish flowers that lack petals. Reduced, bract-like leaves under the inforescences
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are green with uneven stems. Leaves are opposite with small teeth.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are semi-erect with several stems originating from a central tap root. Stems have a hairy surface and are filled with a milky white latex/sap.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Weedy
