Hyssop Spurge

Hyssop Spurge, Hyssopleaf Sandmat

Euphorbia hyssopifolia L.

[also called Chamaesyce hyssopifolia (L.) Small]

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ flowering stem

▲ flower and fruit (seed pod) close-up

▲ ▼ leaves

Hyssop Spurge, Hyssopleaf Sandmat:

Summer annual plant, growing 10-30 inch tall with slender, arching branches; stems often light green-tan or pinkish-green to reddish-green in color
Leaves opposite, oval 1-1.5 inches long and about 1/3 as wide, with small teeth along margins and rounded tips; may have a few purple spots on leaf undersides
Tiny flowers in clusters of 10-20 at tips of stems and in axils of upper stem leaves; separate male and female flowers in clusters
Has milky sap if stems or leaves are broken
More common in southern U.S., but brought in occasionally with nursery stock; likes cultivated fields, landscape beds; can tolerate moderate shade
Very similar to Nodding Spurge, which is more common in midwest, but nodding spurge has toothed, somewhat hairy leaves, usually much redder stems and smaller flower clusters in axils of leaves
Found in cultivated fields, pastures, roadsides, gardens, non-crop areas