Pixel Wild
Spotted spurge
Spotted spurge
Euphorbia maculata
Plantae
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
Annual
Size
Tiny
Diet
Photosynthetic
Biome
Temperate grassland
Range
North America
Movement
Sessile
Breeding
Seeds
Defense
Toxins
Status
Common

About

This low-growing plant spreads across lawns and cracks in pavement throughout North America. It secretes a thick, milky white latex from its stems whenever the leaves are broken or damaged.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    seed
    A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
  2. 2.
    sprout
    A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
  3. 3.
    sapling
    A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
  4. 4.
    mature
    Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Species
Euphorbia maculata