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

Euphorbia prostrata

Previously known as:

  • Chamaesyce prostrata
Phonetic Spelling
kam-ay-SY-kee prost-RAH-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Prostrate Spurge is an annual herb in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family with prostrate to ascending stems with round or oblong leaves. It is native to the tropical/sub-tropical areas of the Americas, Mexico and in the south-central U.S.  Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC. Prostrata is for the way it lies on the ground.  It is weedy and can be found in disturbed areas along the side of the road, waste areas, railroads even sidewalk cracks.  It can be found in lawns and gardens.  Extracts from the plant are used in India as a treatment for hemorrhoids.

The plant prefers full sun to partial shade in dry, sandy or gravelly soils.  Seedlings are very small but will flower when young.  This plant is a prolific seeder.  Seeds have limited or no dormancy and germinate quickly.

This plant is best found in native gardens or meadows and lawns.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Prostrate spurge has no serious insect or disease problems. Some people experience skin rashes from contact with the toxic sticky plant sap of euphorbias. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves and stems have white curled or crinkled hairs.
  • Stems are red colored.

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.

 

More information on Euphorbia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#summer annual weed#summer flowers#sap#small flowers#weed control#milky sap#hairy leaves#hairy stems#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#summer annual weed#summer flowers#sap#small flowers#weed control#milky sap#hairy leaves#hairy stems#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    prostrata
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Extracts from the plant are used in India as a treatment for hemorrhoids.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Parts of central and southern US, South America into Mexico
    Distribution:
    Various parts of the world.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Dry soils, heat tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    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:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Extending out from the flower center is a 3-parted capsule with long spreading hairs on a short stalk with each part containing 1 seed. The capsule initially hangs down becoming erect at maturity.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are very small and are nearly indistinct. Plants flower in summer and early fall, then die after frost. Flowers are greenish-white.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are small, oblong with a heart shaped base. They are sparsely covered with white, curled or crinkled hairs. Often the leaves contain a purplish-red color around the edge. Leaves exude a milky sap when broken.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Scales:
    No scales, covered in hair
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are up to 12 inches long, typically prostrate, reddish colored, sparsely to densely covered in curled or crinkled hairs, and branching frequently, forming large circular mats. Stems exude a milky sap when broken.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    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:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems