Spotted Spurge (Note: Technically a broadleaf weed, not a true grass)
Euphorbia maculata · Warm-season, Annual, C4 broadleaf weed
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass (Broadleaf weed)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11 as a summer annual weed
Grass Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family, not Poaceae)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
Low-growing, prostrate summer annual broadleaf weed that forms dense mats close to the ground. Features small, oval leaves often with a distinct purplish-red spot in the center. Secretes a milky, white sap when broken. Small, inconspicuous pinkish or white flowers produce tiny seed capsules.
Blade Characteristics
Not a grass; has small, opposite, oblong-oval leaves (3-17 mm long) with asymmetrical bases and finely toothed margins near the tip. Often features a maroon or purple blotch on the upper surface.
Root System
Shallow taproot system with fibrous roots that can also form secondary roots where stems touch the ground, allowing it to anchor firmly in compacted soil.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely distributed throughout temperate and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Prostrate, mat-forming, spreading horizontally via stems that root at nodes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun and hot, dry conditions. Highly tolerant of drought and poor, compacted soils. Prefers well-drained soils but tolerates moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grows too low to the ground to be controlled effectively by mowing; often survives underneath mower blades by hugging the soil surface. Control requires pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides or hand-pulling.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to heat, drought, and poor soil conditions. Milky sap is irritating to skin and toxic if ingested by animals. Extremely prolific seed producer.
Ecological Information
Acts as an opportunistic colonizer of bare spots in lawns, gardens, and disturbed soils. Provides minimal wildlife value and is generally considered an undesirable invasive weed in turf management.