Nodding Spurge, Spotted Spurge

[Chamaesyce nutans (Lag.) Small]

also listed under Euphorbia nutans

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

▲ young plant

▲ ▼ young plants

▲ ▼ close-up of stems and leaves

▲ close up of stems

▲ ▼ mature, flowering plants

▲ mature flowering plant

Nodding Spurge:  (mentioned on pp. 293, Weeds of the Great Plains; mentioned on pp. 226-227, Weeds of the Northeast)

·        summer annual plant, growing 10-30” tall with arching branches

·        leaves oval, with small teeth along margins

·        sometimes leaves are spotted, so sometimes this is called spotted spurge, but a prostrate spurge species is also called spotted spurge

·        has milky sap if stems or leaves are broken

·        found in cultivated fields, pastures, roadsides, gardens, non-crop areas