Spotted spurge
ExplorePlants
Spotted spurge
Euphorbia maculata
Spotted spurge is a small plant with pretty green leaves and tiny yellow flowers. It grows close to the ground and can be found in many places, making it easy to spot in gardens and fields.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Spotted spurge is a low-growing plant with reddish, branching stems that spread along the ground. Its small, oval leaves have a distinctive dark reddish-purple spot in the center. Tiny, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers cluster where the leaves meet the stems.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyEuphorbiaceaeGenusEuphorbia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each plant can produce thousands of microscopic seeds.
It's related to the beautiful poinsettia plant!
Its seeds can shoot out like tiny cannons when ripe!
Spurge sap was once used in folk medicine to "purge."
Special abilities
Ability
Sap Shield
Spotted spurge has a milky white sap that helps it defend against hungry animals trying to eat it.
Ability
Ground Hugger
Spotted spurge can grow flat along the ground, which helps it stay cool and survive being walked on.
Ability
Rapid Recruiter
Spotted spurge can produce many seeds quickly, helping it spread and colonize new open areas fast.
Ability
Rooted Resilience
Spotted spurge has a deep taproot that helps it find water and survive in dry, poor soils.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-15 cm
- Spread
- 15-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Spurge rust
Uromyces euphorbiae
Causes rust-colored spots and damage on spurge leaves.
eats
Brown stink bug
Euschistus servus
Feeds on sap from its stems and developing seeds.
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its tiny, inconspicuous flowers for nectar.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch the sap, as it can make your skin itchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Spotted spurge?
5-15 cm
How wide does Spotted spurge spread?
15-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Spotted spurge?
0.1-0.2 cm
When does Spotted spurge bloom?
Summer to Fall
Is Spotted spurge edible?
No
Is Spotted spurge toxic?
Mild
What is Spotted spurge's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Spotted spurge pollinated?
Insect
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