Spotted Spurge (Not a True Grass)
Euphorbia maculata · Warm-season, Annual broadleaf weed (C4)
Grass Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Broadleaf weed commonly found in turfgrass)
Variety / Cultivar
Not applicable (Wild species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 10, functioning as a warm-season annual that dies with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
Spotted spurge grows flat against the ground in a dense, mat-forming pattern, often crowding out turfgrass. It features reddish, branching stems that exude a milky, white sap when broken. Leaves are small, oblong, opposite, and typically display a characteristic dark reddish-purple spot in the center. Flowers are extremely small and inconspicuous.
Blade Characteristics
Not a grass, so it does not have true grass blades, ligules, or auricles. Features small, opposite leaves measuring roughly 5 to 15 mm in length, often with a purple splotch on the upper surface.
Root System
Features a thin, fibrous taproot with multiple branching stems radiating outward along the soil surface.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely distributed across temperate and tropical regions globally.
Growth Habit
Prostrate, mat-forming annual weed that spreads outward along the ground from a central taproot.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun and well-drained, often compacted or poor soils. Highly drought-tolerant once established, frequently invading thin or stressed lawns.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows too low to the ground to be effectively controlled by mowing alone. Hand-pulling (wearing gloves to avoid the irritating sap) and selective broadleaf herbicides or pre-emergent applications are required for control.
Special Characteristics
Produces an irritating milky latex sap that can cause skin irritation. Extremely resilient in compacted soils, high traffic areas, and drought conditions where turfgrass thins out.
Ecological Information
Introduced or native weed depending on the region; generally considered a nuisance in managed turf settings. The milky sap is toxic to livestock in large quantities and discourages most herbivores.