Euphorbia vermiculata Raf.
Chamaesyce vermiculata (Raf.) House
Spotted spurge, small spotted sandmat, hairy spurge, worm-seed sand-mat
These North American native plants are common weeds, found on roadsides, gravelly areas, atop mulch, and in other disturbed soils.
Plants: Prostrate, less than 1″ (2.5 cm) high, or up to 1′ (40 cm) high. Stems vary from green to reddish to dark red, and exude a milky sap when broken. They are hairy, with hairs that point out rather than being matted, ~1/32″ (0.5–1.5 mm) long.
Leaves: Opposite, somewhat asymmetric, oval, ¼–¾″ (6.3–19 mm) long and one half to two thirds as wide, with widely spaced serrations. Leaves often have an irregular dark reddish blotch in the middle.
Flowers: Nearly imperceptible at less than ⅛″ (3.2 mm) in size. They are cyathia with four “petals” that are white or light pink, appearing from July to October.
Fruits: 1/32–1/16″ (1.5–2 mm) in size, hairless, with three lobes.
Habitats: Meadows, fields, roadsides, disturbed soils.
Edibility: Poisonous 
The milky sap may cause a mild contact
dermatitis. Gloves are advisable when handling this plant.
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Similar species. |
Online References:
References:
Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 344
Chamaesyce rafinesquei (Greene) Arthur
Euphorbia vermiculata Raf.
Euphorbia vermiculata Raf.
8/23/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
8/23/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/23/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 2 × 1′ (59 × 39 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/23/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 2 × 1¾″ (5.3 × 4.9 cm) ID is uncertain 
| Parents | Unknown | Genus is not in the current taxonomy |
| Genus | Chamaesyce | From ancient Greek chamai, “on the ground,” describing a type of prostrate plant |
| Species | vermiculata | From Latin vermiculus, "little worm" (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
Chamaesyce vermiculata description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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