Euphorbia prostrata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaesyce prostrata
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-SY-kee prost-RAH-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Spotted and Ground Spurge are similar and have prostrate to ascending stems with round or oblong leaves. Some have a large dark spot on the leaf blade. Seedlings are very small but will flower when young. This plant is a prolific seeder. Seeds have limited or no dormancy and germinate quickly.
Management 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-managed by most pre-emergence herbicides labeled for use.
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:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- prostrata
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heat
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- 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 Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has round or oblong leaves. Some have a large dark spot on the leaf blade. Some have hairs.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- green leaves have red stems
-
-
Landscape:
- Problems:
- 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
