Ground Spurge Euphorbia prostrata
Other 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
-
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
