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 and has been 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 seed heads.The specific epithet, hyssopifolia, is Latin for "hyssop-leaved" and refers to the leaves of this plant resembling the leaves of the hyssop herb.
This plant thrives in full sun and in very hot climates benefits from partial shade. It grows best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It also prefers temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be propagated by seeds.
The stems are erect to ascending, green, reddish, or yellow, have sparse to dense soft hairs, but they are usually smooth distally. The green leaves are oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate and sometimes are marked with a red to purplish markings. This plant blooms all summer in loose clusters with tiny white to reddish-pink flowers and flowers longer in warm winter areas. The flowers are followed by a three-lobed capsules that contain tiny four-sided seeds.
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: Susceptible to spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Prone to powdery mildew, anthracnose, and rust.
Leaves and stems contain a milky sap that can cause contact dermatitis. Protective gloves are recommended. All parts of this plant are toxic. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
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
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and Subtropical North and South America
- Distribution:
- Native: Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the United States: AL, AZ, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NM, SC, TX, and UT; Introduced: Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, India, Liberia, Mali, New South Wales, Nigeria, Queensland, Samoa, Taiwan, Western Australia, and the United States: HI, MD, and NY
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The three-parted capsule is green with a reddish blush that measures less than 1/8 inch long. The tiny seeds are four-sided or ovoid shaped with a wrinkled surface.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- 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 reddish-pinkish with age. The flowers are tiny and measure 1/16 wide.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are light to dark green with reddish or purplish markings, opposite, finely serrated and about 0.5-inch long. The bases are usually asymmetrical and the tip is broadly acute.
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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, erect to ascending, branched stems that are often green, reddish or yellowish in color. The stems have sparse to dense soft hairs, but they are usually smooth distally. The 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:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
