Fauna
Flower

Flowering Spurge

Euphorbia corollata

Also known as Trampleweed

Flowering spurge brightens prairies, glades, and dry pastures across eastern North America with delicate white, petal-like bracts surrounding tiny central cyathia. A thick, deep taproot allows it to endure severe droughts and frequent fires, regenerating quickly where other vegetation struggles. Like many members of its family, its stems secrete a caustic white latex when damaged to deter grazing herbivores.

Prairie NativeDrought TolerantMilky Sap
Flowering 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 (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Spurge Hawkmoth Caterpillars
  • Grasshoppers
  • Leaf Beetles
ThreatsHabitat destruction, woody brush encroachment, herbicide use
HabitatsPrairies, oak savannas, glades, dry fields, roadsides
Life spanPerennial (10+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderMalpighiales
  2. FamilyEuphorbiaceae
  3. GenusEuphorbia
  4. SpeciesEuphorbia corollata
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 latex sap causes blistering skin rashes and eye irritation; avoid contact and do not ingest.
Why it is dangerous
Contains toxic diterpenes and phorbol esters in its milky latex that cause severe contact dermatitis and painful mucosal irritation.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for erect green stems exuding milky white sap when snapped, topped by whorled leaves and tiny green blooms enclosed by five white bracts.
What to do
Observe from a short distance without breaking leaves or stems, and wear protective gloves if removing plants.
Responsible observation
  • Wear Gloves: Handle stems carefully as milky sap irritates skin and eyes.
  • Look for Bracts: Observe the five white petal-like structures surrounding the tiny central true flowers.
  • Observe Pollinators: Watch small native bees, wasps, and flies foraging on exposed nectar glands.
Related species
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