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Nodding Spurge Euphorbia nutans

Previously known as:

  • Chamaesyce nutans
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-uh NUT-ans
Description

Spurges are summer annual weeds that flourish in warm weather, but in warmer climates, some can persist into late fall. Plants flower in summer and early fall then die, after frost. Flowers are greenish-white. Spurges are some of the most common warm-season weeds. Each exudes a milky sap when stems or leaves are broken.

Management Guidelines for Spurges: 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. They are time-consuming to hand weed due to the number of seedlings that form. Some species may forcefully discharge seeds. Spurges are well-controlled by most preemergence herbicides labeled for use.

The nodding spurge is very similar to hyssop spurge but leaves are generally larger and younger foliage is softly hairy, losing hairs with age. Preliminary research suggests that nodding spurge is generally well-controlled by most herbicides that list "spurge" as a susceptible species.

 

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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Tags:
#white flowers#summer annual weed#stream banks#summer flowers#sap#milky sap#sandy soils tolerant#coastal plant#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#summer annual weed#stream banks#summer flowers#sap#milky sap#sandy soils tolerant#coastal plant#annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    nutans Lag.
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Plants flower in summer and early fall then die, after frost. Flowers are greenish-white.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves have red veins at the back of them. Leaves have hairs when younger.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green leaves have red stems
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy