Spotted Spurge (Note: This is a broadleaf weed, not a true grass)
Euphorbia maculata · Warm-season, Annual broadleaf weed, C4
Grass Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Broadleaf weed)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11
About This Grass
Forms a flat, dense mat close to the ground with reddish-brown stems that exude a milky white sap when broken. Small oval leaves often feature a distinct purple or reddish spot in the center.
Blade Characteristics
Not a grass; has small, opposite, oblong-oval leaves about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with slightly toothed margins near the tip.
Root System
Deep, tough central taproot with fibrous secondary roots, highly resilient and drought-tolerant
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely naturalized globally
Growth Habit
Prostrate, mat-forming, spreading via stems radiating from a central taproot
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun, highly drought tolerant, prefers dry, compacted, poor soils with low fertility
Mowing & Maintenance
Resistant to low mowing due to its flat, prostrate growth habit below normal mower blade heights
Special Characteristics
Produces a milky toxic sap that can irritate skin, highly invasive in thin lawns, excellent at surviving extreme heat and compacted soil
Ecological Information
Acts as an opportunistic pioneer species in disturbed soils; provides minimal ecological value as a weed but supports some specialized insects