Euphorbia serpens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaesyce serpens
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh SUR-penz
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Creeping spurge is an annual weed in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family with a low growing, spreading habit and is often found in disturbed sites and urban environments. It is native to south-eastern Canada, tropical/sub-tropical areas of the Americas, and in the south-central U.S. Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC. In Latin, serpens means creeping thing or snake. Creeping spurge differs from the other prostrate spurges by rooting at the nodes of the stems when they touch the ground, allowing it to grow quickly forming dense mats. Also, it has smaller, more rounded leaves, and lacks hairs on the stem.
The plant prefers full sun to partial shade in dry, sandy, loamy or clay soils with a neutral or slightly akaline pH but will grow in any type soil. Seedlings are very small but will flower when young. This plant is a prolific seeder. Seeds have limited or no dormancy and germinate quickly.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Creeping spurge has no serious insect or disease problems. Some people experience skin rashes from contact with the toxic sticky plant sap of euphorbias.
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-managed by most preemergence 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- serpens
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South and North America, SE Canada
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , WY
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Dry soils, heat tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Dense
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Has small clusters (cyathium) with scalloped white petal-like appendages surrounding the actual flowers. There is a red nectar gland at the base of each appendage, and at the center of the cyathium are several male flowers around one female flower. In temperate climates, plants flower in summer and early fall then die, after frost. In more tropical climates, they will flower all year.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rubbery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves in the opposite arrangement are less than .5 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are square with hairs, and lie prostrate on the ground. The stem will exude a milky sap when broken.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
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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