Description ²

Plants prostrate annuals, ascending in shade or competition; plants hairy; plants typically not more than 15 cm tall; usually forming mats less than 20 cm., individual stems generally less than 10 cm but may get to 20 cm or more. Largest internodes up to 2 mm in diameter. Stipules divided. Most leaves generally oblong and greatly unequal at the base; usually has a reddish-purplish “splotch” on the leaf but some individuals may have leaves that lack them; top of leaves usually glabrate to glabrous; shallowly serrated. Hair on fruits strigose. Seeds with shallow, rounded transverse ridges, often less whitened at the top of the ridges than other parts of the seed.

Habitat and Distribution ²

Only reported on the edges of the Llano, namely Andrews, Garza, Briscoe, and Motley Counties (Turner et. al., 2003). However, this species seems to be a common weedy species growing in various, disturbed soils, typically associated with irrigation in towns (I have observed them in Lubbock, Lamesa, and Midland). Often found growing alongside E. prostrata and E. stictospora. This species spreads easily and is probably not native here as it is another common plant growing in the same pots as ornamentals.

Comments ²

When reading descriptions like the one in Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (Correll and Johnston, 1979), it can be difficult to distinguish E. prostrata from E. maculata without looking at the seeds or hairs. The leaves are also quite different and can provide a good character to differentiate the two, especially in combination with the other characters:

Euphorbia maculata: Oblong leaves often with a reddish or purplish “splotch” on them (not always); leaf bases more unequal than E. prostrata; hairs on fruits always appressed; ridges on seeds rounded.
Euphorbia prostrata: Oval to rotund leaves always lacking a "splotch"; leaf bases more equal than E. maculata (still unequal); hairs on fruits generally not appressed; ridges on seeds coming to a sharp edge.

Because of the abundance of these two species as lawn and garden weeds, it is usually fairly easy to find the two species to compare.

Despite the common name, E. maculata (spotted spurge) doesn't always produce "splotches". The characteristic is discussed in detail here.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Nathan Taylor, all rights reserved, uploaded by Nathan Taylor
2. (c) Nathan Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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