Plant · GBIF taxon 3067119
Spotted spurge
Euphorbia maculataAlso known as Prostrate Spurge, Milk Purslane, Spotted Sandmat
Spotted spurge forms dense, prostrate mats that radiate outward from a central taproot across bare soil and pavement cracks. Small oval leaves feature a reddish-purple blotch near the center and produce a caustic milky latex sap whenever broken. This adaptable annual thrives under hot summer sun, producing thousands of seeds that quickly colonize disturbed landscapes.
ProstrateWeedToxic Sap
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Spurge hawkmoth caterpillars
- Leaf-mining larvae
ThreatsHand weeding, herbicide treatment
HabitatsDisturbed soil, sidewalk cracks, garden beds, lawns, gravel pathways
Life spanAnnual (1 season)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderMalpighiales
- FamilyEuphorbiaceae
- GenusEuphorbia
- SpeciesEuphorbia maculata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Milky sap causes skin inflammation and severe stomach upset if eaten; wear gloves and avoid eyes.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains a caustic milky latex rich in diterpene esters that causes contact dermatitis, blistering, and severe gastrointestinal distress if ingested.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for flat mat-like growth, small oval leaves with central dark spots, and immediate oozing of white milky sap when stems break.
- What to do
- Wear thick gloves when pulling by hand, and wash hands thoroughly before touching eyes or face.
Responsible observation
- Weeding Safety: Wear gloves when pulling plants to prevent skin contact with milky latex sap.
- Identification: Snap a stem to check for white milky latex, distinguishing it from edible purslane.
- Mulch Management: Cover bare garden soil with organic mulch to prevent seeds from germinating.
Edible Look-alike (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by nmoorhatch · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
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