Euphorbia maculata
Common name
spotted spurge; spotted sandmat (USA)
Synonyms
Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Procumbent annual herb; dull grey-green, often with a purple central spot on each leaf; sparsely to densely hairy, especially on stems. Flowers minute, in small clusters in leaf axils.
Distribution
In 1970s and 1980s was known mostly in north of the North Island of NZ + records from Nelson and Christchurch, but it has spread rapidly southwards in late 1990s and by 2010-15 has become a common, often abundant weed of road and path edge gravels, driveways, open dry gardens and waste areas. Seeds prolifically.
Habitat
Dry open stone/gravel areas - often the first plant encountered at edge of tar-sealed roads.
Flower colours
Green
Year naturalised
1969
Origin
North America
Etymology
euphorbia: After Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC. Juba named a cactus to honour Euphorbus and later Linnaeus named the entire genus after the physician.
maculata: From Latin ‘macula’ blotch, meaning blotchy