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Euphorbia hyssopifolia is often confused with:
Euphorbia nutans Chamaesyce nutans
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Euphorbia hirta leaf arrangement
Euphorbia maculata Leaves
Euphorbia nutans Chamaesyce nutans

Hyssopleaf 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

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.

More information on Euphorbia.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#red stems#delicate#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#red stems#delicate#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    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:
    No