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Euphorbia serpens is often confused with:
Euphorbia maculata Leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Euphorbia hirta leaf arrangement
Euphorbia maculata Leaves
Euphorbia nutans Chamaesyce nutans

Euphorbia serpens

Previously known as:

  • Chamaesyce serpens
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-uh SUR-penz
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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. 

The plant prefers full sun to partial shade in dry, sandy, loamy or clay soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH but will grow in any type of soil.  Wet soil conditions will often cause root rot.  Seedlings are very small but will flower when young.  This plant is a prolific seeder.  Seeds have limited or no dormancy and germinate quickly.  As with all euphorbias, creeping spurge exudes a milky sap from the stems and leaves that can be toxic.

This plant is best found in naturalized areas but considered weedy in lawns and gardens.

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.

More information on Euphorbia.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#white flowers#green flowers#fall interest#mat#summer flowers#sap#weed control#milky sap#warm climates#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#coastal plant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#white flowers#green flowers#fall interest#mat#summer flowers#sap#weed control#milky sap#warm climates#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#coastal plant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    serpens
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as fever, headache, and skin diseases but also warts, asthma, and coughs.
    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, sandy soils and is heat tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 2 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A yellowish green 3-parted capsule on a short stalk with each part containing 1 seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    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.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rubbery
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves in the opposite arrangement are less than .5 inches long. They are directly attached to the stem. The leaves will exude a milky sap when broken.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Weedy
  • 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:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems