Euphorbia maculata
Syn. Chamaesyce maculata
“Prostrate spruge” “Spotted spruge”
EUPHORBIACEAE
Annual Weed
Zone: no
Native habitat : Native to North America
Conditions
Soil: any
Moisture: any
Light: full sun to full shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): low (almost flat) growing to 16” in width.
Other: thrives in harsh, hot, poor or rich soil
Aesthetic
Shape/stem: spreading, mat-forming, prostrate, branching from central point; hairy
Leaf: small, oval, opposite, dark green, marron spot
Flower: tiny, white-pink, recognizably euphorbia in look
Bloom: summer
Other: tap root which small fiborous roots; spread by seed; appears in summer
Treatment (how to…)
Easy to pull, especially if the soil is damp. You can also spray them with herbicide if you choose with good success. Mulch can be a somewhat effective preventative measure. Let dry in the sun before discarding.
Spreads by seed. Prolific seed production; each plant can produce up to several thousand seeds. Seeds can lay dormant for a number of years till the right conditions appear. Seeds produced in summer can germinate immediately; Seeds produced in late fall will wait until late spring.
Sap is phototoxic so take care in touching it.
Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals: toxic to livestock
Interest
Local info: native; doesn’t like competition which is good for our other native plants
Nature: invasive annual summer weed
Identification (key features): appearing in June; white sap; leaves often are marked with a black dash in the center; spreading out in a low mat from a central point; small leaves and flowers
Interesting facts:
Comments:
. west coast island blooms . 