Hyssop Spurge Euphorbia hyssopifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anisophyllum hyssopifolium
- Chamaesyce brasiliensis
- Chamaesyce hyssopifolia
- Euphorbia brasiliensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh hiss-sop-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Hyssopleaf Sandmat is an annual or short-lived perennial plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to Central and South America and the Southeastern United States. It is introduced in North Carolina. It is a common weed in the south and is found in sandy desert washes and canyons, disturbed areas and along streambeds. It can also be a weed in agricultural areas and lawns.
This plant is erect to sprawling growing up to 18 inches tall with erect stems topped with flowers or seedheads. The plant tolerates a variety of soil conditions from dry to moist and full sun to partial shade.
This plant blooms all summer in loose clusters with tiny white to reddish-pink flowers. In warm winter areas, they will flower longer. The green leaves are sometimes marked with red and grow on green, reddish or yellowish stems. Flowers are followed by seed capsules. Leavs and stems contain a milky sap that can cause contact dermatitis for some so wear gloves.
Because spurges flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Remove plants when young to reduce seed production. Spurges are well managed by most preemergence herbicides labeled for use.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
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:
- hyssopifolia L.
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and south America
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MD, MS, NC, NM, SC, TX, AR and UT
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- 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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The three-parted capsule contains ridged seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are cyathias that grow in small clusters in the leaf axils. The center is the actual flower and may be surrounded by white bract-like leaves that turn pinkish with age.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are opposite, finely serrated and about 1/2 inch long. The bases are usually asymmetrical and the tip is broadly acute. May have reddish or purple makings.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Plants have long, smooth, branched stems, often reddish or yellowish in color. Stems contain a milky sap
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
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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:
- No
