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Snakeweed Euphorbia hirta

Other plants called Snakeweed:

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

Garden spurge is an herbaceous annual plant considered to be a warm-season weed in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It originates from tropical and subtropical North America but has spread to South America, Asia and Australia. It is found in lawns, agricultural areas, roadsides and in the nursery trade. The genus name, Euphorbia, honors a Greek physician, Euphorbus. 

This pant is erect to prostrate growing 1-2 feet tall with a similar spread. It tolerates full sun to full shade. It tolerates most growing conditions including poor soils and locations such as a crack in the sidewalk. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds over the growing season. As with most euphorbias, the stems contain a milky sap that may cause contact dermatitis for some.

The tiny flowers are produced in small clusters in the leaf axils and are green to brown to pinkish in color. Leaves are green with some purple coloring. Stems are densely hairy.

Control of this plant can be done by hoeing or hand pulling. Mulch will help prevent seeds from germinating as they need light to do so. Chemical control can be done with most postemergence herbicides and systemic herbicides such as glyphosate.

It is widely used in herbal medicine and can be grown for this purpose. One could also use it as a ground cover if desired.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Euphorbia.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#maroon#white flowers#green flowers#bright green#seedheads#fall interest#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#sap#maroon leaves#weed control#milky sap#warm climates#groundcover#warm season weed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#maroon#white flowers#green flowers#bright green#seedheads#fall interest#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#sap#maroon leaves#weed control#milky sap#warm climates#groundcover#warm season weed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
  • 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 North America
    Edibility:
    Herbal teas can be made from the leaves
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is in the form of a hairy yellow capsule. Fruits from a single plant can produce up to 3000 tiny, oblong, four-sided seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The tiny flowers have no petals and occur in ball-shaped clusters (Cyathia) in the leaf axils. Reduced, bract-like leaves occur under the inflorescences
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Serrate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves may have purple spots and are 1/2 to 1.5 inches long. They have a pointed tip, toothed margins and are oblong to lanceolate in shape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The purplish stems are densely hairy and are filled with a milky white latex/sap.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Diterpene esters in milky latex
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Sap/Juice