Euphorbia maculata Linnaeus. Subgenus: Chamaesyce. Section: Anisophyllum. Common name: Milk-purslane, Spotted Spurge, Spotted Sandmat. Phenology: Jan-Dec. Habitat: Gardens, fields, disturbed places, crevices in pavement or sidewalks. Distribution: QC west to ND, south to s. FL and TX, south into tropical America; introduced in various places worldwide.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, C, FNA12, G, GrPl, Mex, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, Tn, Tx, Va, W, Govaerts, Frodin, & Radcliffe-Smith (2000); = Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small — Fl2, GW2, Il, NcTx, S, WH3; = Euphorbia supina Raf. — F, Tat; > Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small — S13; > Chamaesyce tracyi Small — S13; < Euphorbia maculata L. — K4; > Euphorbia supina Raf. — RAB, WV; Euphorbia maculata L. Basionym: Euphorbia maculata L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Euphorbia maculata - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Lowell Urbatsch | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Mat-forming annual found on roadsides and in fields, gardens, cracks in sidewalks and pavement, and other disturbed areas.
Stems: Stems branched and prostrate-spreading (mats to 2 ft. wide), dark red, hairy, leaking milky sap when broken.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, oval to oblong, to 1/2 in. long, edges minutely toothed, usually with a red splotch in the center and both surfaces sparsely hairy (denser beneath).
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers solitary or in small, short-stalked axillary clusters. Each "flower" is actually a cup, 1/8 in. wide, that holds male and female flowers, its rim with 4 white to pink, semi-circular, wavy-edged petal-like appendages that bear a greenish-red, thickened gland at the base; male flower anthers are yellow and nearly indistinct, and the single female flower in the cup center consists of a clump of styles sitting atop a rounded, 3-lobed ovary on a short stalk.
Fruits: Fruit a stalked, hairy, 3-lobed capsule.
Comments:
Height: 2-4 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Mat-forming annual found on roadsides and in fields, gardens, cracks in sidewalks and pavement, and other disturbed areas.
stems: Stems branched and prostrate-spreading (mats to 2 ft. wide), dark red, hairy, leaking milky sap when broken.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, oval to oblong, to 1/2 in. long, edges minutely toothed, usually with a red splotch in the center and both surfaces sparsely hairy (denser beneath).
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers solitary or in small, short-stalked axillary clusters. Each "flower" is actually a cup, 1/8 in. wide, that holds male and female flowers, its rim with 4 white to pink, semi-circular, wavy-edged petal-like appendages that bear a greenish-red, thickened gland at the base; male flower anthers are yellow and nearly indistinct, and the single female flower in the cup center consists of a clump of styles sitting atop a rounded, 3-lobed ovary on a short stalk.
fruits: Fruit a stalked, hairy, 3-lobed capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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