Spotted Spurge (Not a True Grass)
Euphorbia maculata · Warm-season, Annual broadleaf weed (not a grass)
Grass Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Broadleaf weed commonly invading turf)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (No specific cultivars for this weed)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, functioning as an annual in cooler climates and potentially short-lived perennial in frost-free tropical zones.
About This Grass
Spotted spurge is a prostrate summer annual weed forming dense, flat mats close to the ground. Stems are reddish, hairy, and exude a milky white sap when broken. Leaves are small, opposite, oblong, and often feature a characteristic dark purple or reddish spot in the center. Flowers are extremely small and inconspicuous.
Blade Characteristics
Not applicable as this is a broadleaf plant, not a grass. Leaves are oval to oblong, less than 0.5 inches long, finely toothed near the tip, often with a purplish central blotch.
Root System
Thick, fibrous central taproot with fine lateral roots. Very drought tolerant once established and difficult to pull completely without removing the taproot.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely naturalized globally in warm and temperate regions
Growth Habit
Prostrate mat-forming, spreading radially outward via branching stems from a central taproot
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and thrives in poor, dry, compacted soils where turfgrass is thin. Highly drought tolerant.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows flat below normal mowing heights, making standard mowing ineffective for control. Controlled best by improving turf density, hand-pulling before seed set, or using selective post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.
Special Characteristics
Releases a toxic milky sap that can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in humans and animals. Extremely prolific seed producer, spreading rapidly to colonize bare or stressed turf areas.
Ecological Information
Acts as an opportunistic pioneer species in disturbed soils. While it provides minor ground cover to prevent wind erosion, it is generally considered an aggressive weed in lawns, gardens, and agricultural settings.