Euphorbia maculata

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Euphorbia maculata
Chamaesyce.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. maculata
Binomial name
Euphorbia maculata
L.
Synonyms [2]
List
    • Anisophyllum maculatum(L.) Haw.
    • Chamaesyce jovetii(Huguet) Holub
    • Chamaesyce maculata(L.) Small
    • Chamaesyce pseudonutansThell.
    • Chamaesyce supina(Raf.) H.Hara
    • Chamaesyce tracyiSmall
    • Euphorbia depressaTorr. ex Spreng.
    • Euphorbia jovetiiHuguet
    • Euphorbia maculata var. detonsaEngelm. ex Boiss.
    • Euphorbia maculata var. parvulaRiddell
    • Euphorbia reichenbachianaLojac.
    • Euphorbia supinaRaf.
    • Tithymalus maculatus(L.) Moench
    • Xamesike depressa(Torr. ex Spreng.) Raf.
    • Xamesike littoralisRaf.
    • Xamesike maculata(L.) Raf.
    • Xamesike supina(Raf.) Raf.

Euphorbia maculata, known as spotted spurge, prostrate spurge (not to be confused with Euphorbia prostrata ), milk purslane, or spotted sandmat, is a fast-growing annual plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is native to North America, where it is generally considered a common weed, it can be found in disturbed soils such as garden beds, along railroad tracks, and in the cracks of sidewalks. [3] It has become a common introduced species throughout the world, including Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. [4]

Contents

Prostrate spurge growing on disturbed soil Prostrate spurge.jpg
Prostrate spurge growing on disturbed soil

It grows in sunny locations and a variety of soils, and functions as a pioneer species in ecological succession. The sap of this plant is a mild skin irritant and can cause a rash in some people. [5] The milky sap of plants in genus Euphorbia is poisonous and considered carcinogenic. [6]

Description

As originally described in Species Plantarum Euphorbia maculata is an herbacous plant with small, oblong opposite leaves. The leaves are pilose, or covered in small thin hairs, and generally have a crenate (scalloped) edge. Each leaf is marked with a small brown spot in the center, giving the plant its common name. [7]

Euphorbia maculata is typically prostrate, with specimens rarely reaching as high as 30 centimetres (12 in). The stems spread out in a mat along the ground with each stem rarely greater than 45 centimetres (18 in) long. The leaves are oval but rather elongate, up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long. The cyathia, bisexual reproductive structures unique to plants in the genus, are very small, with four white petal-like appendages that are sometimes pink. [8]

Euphorbia maculata flowers in the summer. These flowers develop in clusters near the axillary bud, they are small and leaf-like, with a red calyx. Upon blooming they have lobed, white to pink petals. [9]

Euphorbia maculata develops a small, 3-lobed fruit. This fruit, like the rest of the plant, is covered in fine, soft hairs. Each lobe is a capsule that contains a single seed. The seeds are small, oblong, and white to light brown. The surface is uneven and covered in little divots. [9]

Euphorbia maculata is similar to Euphorbia prostrata , but that species has shorter leaves that are more rounded at the tips. It may occasionally be confused with Euphorbia serpens but this taxon has very short and rounded leaves and larger (but still inconspicuous) cyathia.

Distribution and habitat

Euphorbia maculata is considered native to all of the continental United States according to the United States Department of Agriculture. [10] Spotted Spurge has been naturalized in much of the world. This includes South America, Australia, Asian, parts of Africa, and throughout Europe. [11]

Euphorbia maculata is commonly found along roadsides, in the cracks and crevasses of sidewalks, and throughout North America. It grows in sunny and arid areas without much shade. [12] Spotted spurge grows well in coarse soils, such as sand or gravel, but can also be found growing in compacted soils and areas with poor soil. It grows best in conditions in full sun. [9]

Uses

Euphorbia maculata is understood throughout most of North America as a weed, however it is used in Asia for as a medicinal plant. The species possesses triterpenoids that when medicinally applied have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. [13]

Toxicity

Euphorbia maculata, like much of the Euphorbiaceae is considered toxic. Its effects may include mild skin irritation, which is amplified when exposed to the sun, irritation to the stomach, and vomiting as well as being generally considered a carcinogen. [14] The toxins come from a thin, white, milky sap that is produced when either the leaf or the stem gets broken. Contact with the eyes, skin, or mouth should be avoided.

Weed Control

Because Euphorbia maculata grows quickly in a variety of climates it is seen as a weed throughout much of North America and can be a particularly troublesome weed in crop fields and pastures. The growth of E. maculata in agricultural fields may impact crops yields such as vegetables, legumes, and cereals. Due to toxicity, the growth of Euphorbia maculata in pastures can cause sickness, vomiting, and weakness in livestock. [15]

Pre-emergence herbicides are useful where problems have been known to arise and mulching is not possible. [16]

Mechanical control is hand pulling. It is important to pull the entire plant, roots included, to prevent regrowth. Another non-chemical control method is to apply a thick layer of mulch to the affected area. Spotted Spurge grows best in open, sunny areas, so mulching with a layer wood chips or straw prevent may smother the plant. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Euphorbia</i> Genus of flowering plants in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poinsettia</span> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

The poinsettia is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6 to 4 m. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

<i>Euphorbia heterophylla</i> Species of plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to tropical and subtropical America

Euphorbia heterophylla, also known under the common names of Mexican fireplant, painted euphorbia, Japanese poinsettia, paintedleaf, painted spurge and milkweed, is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family.

<i>Euphorbia cyparissias</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia cyparissias, the cypress spurge, is a species of plant in the genus Euphorbia. It is native to Europe and was introduced to North America in the 1860s as an ornamental plant.

<i>Euphorbia myrsinites</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia myrsinites, the myrtle spurge, blue spurge, or broad-leaved glaucous-spurge, is a succulent species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae.

<i>Euphorbia tithymaloides</i> Species of plant

Euphorbia tithymaloides is a perennial succulent spurge. An erect shrub, the plant is also known by the scientific name Pedilanthus tithymaloides. However, the genus Pedilanthus has been subsumed into the genus Euphorbia, and is more correctly known by its new name.

<i>Euphorbia milii</i> Species of plant

Euphorbia milii, the crown of thorns, Christ plant, or Christ's thorn, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to Madagascar. The species name commemorates Baron Milius, once Governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821.

<i>Euphorbia albomarginata</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family

Euphorbia albomarginata, whitemargin sandmat or rattlesnake weed, is a small low-growing perennial, in the spurge family native to desert, chaparral, and grassland habitats of southwestern North America, from southern and central California to Northern Mexico and Louisiana.

<i>Euphorbia corollata</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia corollata is an herbaceous perennial plant in the family Euphorbiaceae that is native to North America. A common name for the species is flowering spurge. It has a milky sap that can cause skin and eye irritation in some people. It grows up to 1 m (3 ft) tall, with smooth stems and light green leaves arranged alternately or in whorls. Leaves are about 10 mm wide and 75 mm (3 in) long. Each stem terminates in a panicle 20 to 25 mm across. Flowers are about 6 mm across and consist of one pistillate and several staminate flowers surrounded by five white bracts - not petals but formed from the involucre at the base of the flowers. Flowering spurge blooms from June to September.

<i>Euphorbia prostrata</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia prostrata is a species of spurge known by the common name prostrate spurge or prostrate sandmat.

<i>Euphorbia palustris</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia palustris, the marsh spurge or marsh euphorbia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to marshland throughout much of mainland Europe and western Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall and wide, with narrow leaves turning red and yellow in autumn, and persistent, bright acid yellow flower-heads (cyathia), 15 cm (6 in) across, in spring.

<i>Euphorbia rigida</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia rigida, the gopher spurge or upright myrtle spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to southern Europe and southwest Asia. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and broad, it is a bushy evergreen perennial with somewhat fleshy leaves arranged in a spiral, bearing bunches of bright yellow flowers in late Spring.

<i>Euphorbia dendroides</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia dendroides, also known as tree spurge, is a small tree or large shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae that grows in semi-arid and mediterranean climates.

<i>Euphorbia characias</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia characias, the Mediterranean spurge or Albanian spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae typical of the Mediterranean vegetation. It is an upright, compact evergreen shrub growing to 1.2 m tall and wide.

<i>Euphorbia cornigera</i> Species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia cornigera is a species of flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is referred to by the common name horned spurge and is native to Bhutan. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial growing to 75 cm (30 in) tall, rarely 1 m, with narrow green leaves with a pale green spine. Acid yellow flowerheads (cyathia) are borne in summer.

<i>Euphorbia schillingii</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia schillingii, or Schilling spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, native to Nepal. Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall by 0.5 m (1.6 ft) broad, it is an herbaceous perennial bearing long, narrow leaves with a prominent white midrib, and clusters of long-lasting lime-green flowers throughout summer into autumn. The flowers are useful in flower arranging.

<i>Euphorbia <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> martini</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia × martini, or Martin's spurge, is a hybrid between two species of flowering plant, E. amygdaloides × E. characias subsp. characias in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. It was found growing wild in southern France. Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and broad, it is a dwarf evergreen subshrub with narrow grey-green leaves and in late spring and early summer, sprays of lime green flowers, often with a red or maroon eye. It is useful as a spreading, weed-smothering groundcover. Though hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), it is a Mediterranean plant best grown in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil in full sun.

<i>Euphorbia missurica</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia missurica, commonly called prairie sandmat, or Missouri spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found primarily in area of the Great Plains. Its natural habitat is in dry, often calcareous areas, including glades, bluffs, and open woodlands.

<i>Euphorbia bicolor</i> Species of plant

Euphorbia bicolor, commonly known as snow on the prairie, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia, native to the southern United States. It grows 1-4 feet tall, has green and white alternate leaves, and is monoecious with unisexual flowers. It grows in hard clay soils of prairies, rangelands, and edges of forests.

<i>Euphorbia terracina</i> Species of plant

Euphorbia terracina, commonly known as the Geraldton carnation weed and False caper, is a species of perennial herb in the family Euphorbiaceae. It has a self-supporting growth form and simple, broad leaves. Flowers are visited by Lipotriches brachysoma, Lipotriches natalensis, Lipotriches crassula, and Nomia bouyssoui. It produces small, three lobed fruits, with each lobe containing one seed.

References

  1. NatureServe (2024). "Euphorbia maculata". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  2. "Euphorbia maculata L." Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  3. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, U.S.A. fsus.ncbg.unc.edu Accessed Oct 24, 2024
  4. "Euphorbia maculata". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  5. "Prostrate Spurge". CSU/Denver County Extension. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  6. Miller, Candice. "Plants That Cause Skin Irritation" (PDF). University of Illinois Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  7. C. Linnaeus, “Species Plantarum,” Vol. 1, London, 1753, pp. 455.
  8. Webster, Grady L. (1967). "The Genera of Euphorbiaceae in the Southeastern United States". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 48 (4): 363–430. ISSN   0004-2625.
  9. 1 2 3 "Euphorbia maculata (Spotted Spurge): Minnesota Wildflowers". www.minnesotawildflowers.info. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  10. "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  11. 1 2 "Spotted spurge - Euphorbia maculata (Taxonomy, Characteristics, Symbolism, Images, Toxic)". PictureThis. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  12. Park, K.; Lee, H.; Jang, B.-K.; Cho, J.-S. Dormancy Characteristics of Euphorbia maculata L. Seeds and Strategies for Their Effective Germination. Horticulturae2023, 9, 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9090990
  13. Sun, Y.; Gao, L.-l.; Tang, M.-y.; Feng, B.-m.; Pei, Y.-h.; Yasukawa, K. Triterpenoids from Euphorbia maculata and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects. Molecules 2018, 23, 2112. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092112
  14. Miller, Candice. "Plants That Cause Skin Irritation" (PDF). University of Illinois Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  15. Tanveer, A., et al. "Implications of weeds of genus euphorbia for crop production: a review." Planta Daninha 31 (2013): 723-731.
  16. "Spotted Spurge, Chamaesyce (=Euphorbia) maculata". Wisconsin Horticulture. Retrieved 2024-10-24