Fauna
Plant

Spotted Spurge

Euphorbia maculata

Also 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
Spotted Spurge reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (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)
Classification
  1. OrderMalpighiales
  2. FamilyEuphorbiaceae
  3. GenusEuphorbia
  4. SpeciesEuphorbia maculata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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