Euphorbia hirta

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Euphorbia hirta
Euph hirt.jpg
Photo by John R. Gwaltney, Southeastern Flora.com
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Euphorbiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: E. hirta
Binomial name
Euphorbia hirta
(L.) Millsp.
CHAM HIRT dist.jpg
Natural range of Euphorbia hirta from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Pillpod sandmat

Taxonomic notes

Synonyms: Chamaesyce hirta (Linnaeus) Millspaugh.[1]

Varieties: none.[1]

Description

Distribution

This species is found from eastern North Carolina to central South Carolina, as far south as southern Florida, and as far west as Texas. It also occurs in Central and South America.[1]

Ecology

Habitat

It has been observed to grow in disturbed areas such as lawns, gardens, roadside depressions, vacant lots, fallow fields, and parking lots. It can grow in dry sands and silty loam on mesic areas as well.[2]

Phenology

This species has been observed to flower and fruit from July to August. [3]

Conservation, cultivation, and restoration

Cultural use

Members of this genus can be used as a laxative in small amounts, but an overdose can cause severe poisoning.[4]

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  2. Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: L. C. Anderson, W. R. Anderson, A. Clewell, K. Blum, M. R. Crosby, J. Duke, J. Dwyer, S. F. da Fonseca, R. K. Godfrey, H. A. Hespenheide, H. S. Irwin, R. Komarek, R. L. Lazor, H. Loftin, T. MacClendon, K. MacClendon, E. Onishi, J. Ramos, R. Reis dos Santos, T. R. Soderstrom, R. Souza, and E. L. Tyson. States and Counties: Florida: Calhoun, Franklin, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. Georgia: Thomas. Other countries: Brazil, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
  3. Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: L. C. Anderson, W. R. Anderson, A. Clewell, K. Blum, M. R. Crosby, J. Duke, J. Dwyer, S. F. da Fonseca, R. K. Godfrey, H. A. Hespenheide, H. S. Irwin, R. Komarek, R. L. Lazor, H. Loftin, T. MacClendon, K. MacClendon, E. Onishi, J. Ramos, R. Reis dos Santos, T. R. Soderstrom, R. Souza, and E. L. Tyson. States and Counties: Florida: Calhoun, Franklin, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. Georgia: Thomas. Other countries: Brazil, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
  4. Mueschner, W.C. 1957. Poisonous Plants of the United States. The Macmillan Company, New York.