Euphorbia maculata

Spotted spurge is a summer annual weed with a prostrate growth habit that flourishes in warm climates and dies back after frost. It is typically found in sidewalk cracks, gravel, roadsides, gardens, and sometimes woodlands. The small, oblong leaves grow opposite on the stem and have an irregular maroon to purple spot in the center. When stems are broken or injured they emit a milky white sap similar to dandelion. The plant forms a thick taproot, which can extend two feet into the soil, and it rarely or never roots at the leaf nodes. The small greenish-white flowers appear in summer and early fall. Even tiny seedlings can flower and set prolific amounts of seed with limited or no dormancy. It is not recommended as a cultivated plant for most gardens.

Because spurges flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Remove plants as quickly as possible to reduce seed production; though they can be time-consuming to hand weed due to the number of seedlings that form. Mowing is ineffective because plants grow so close to the ground. Spurges are well-managed by most preemergence herbicides labeled for use.

Spotted spurge is similar to Euphorbia prostrata and is also known by the common name, Prostrate Spurge. They can be easily distinguished from each other because Euphorbia prostrata has shorter leaves that are more rounded at the tips and there is no spot in the center.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:  There are no known diseases or insect problems.  This plant spreads aggressively. Spurges are some of the most common warm-season weeds in container nurseries, agriculture, and landscape ornamental beds.

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

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