Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. (yoo-FOR-bee-uh hiss-sop-ih-FOH-lee-uh)
Family: EuphorbiaceaeNon-nativeHerbaceous
HerbaceousNon-native
Hyssopleaf sandmat is an annual or short-lived perennial plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to Central and South America and the Southeastern United States and has been introduced in North Carolina. It is a common weed in the south and is found in sandy desert washes and canyons, disturbed areas and along streambeds. It can also be a weed in agricultural areas and lawns. This plant is erect to sprawling growing up to 18 inches tall with erect stems topped with flowers or seed heads.The specific epithet, hyssopifolia , is Latin for "hyssop-leaved" and refers to the leaves of this plant resembling the leaves of the hyssop herb. This plant thrives in full sun and in very hot climates benefits from partial shade. It grows best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It also prefers temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be propagated by seeds. The stems are erect to ascending, green, reddish, or yellow, have sparse to dense soft hairs, but they are usually smooth distally. The green leaves are oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate and sometimes are marked with a red to purplish markings. This plant blooms all summer in loose clusters with tiny white to reddish-pink flowers and flowers longer in warm winter areas. The flowers are followed by a three-lobed capsules that contain tiny four-sided seeds. Because spurges flower when young and have little or no seed dormancy, weed populations can increase rapidly. Remove plants when young to reduce seed production. Spurges are well managed by most preemergence herbicides labeled for use. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Prone to powdery mildew, anthracnose, and rust. Leaves and stems contain a milky sap that can cause contact dermatitis. Protective gloves are recommended. All parts of this plant are toxic. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Erect; Prostrate
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Oblong
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are light to dark green with reddish or purplish markings, opposite, finely serrated and about 0.5-inch long. The bases are usually asymmetrical and the tip is broadly acute.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are cyathias that grow in small clusters in the leaf axils. The center is the actual flower and may be surrounded by white bract-like leaves that turn reddish-pinkish with age. The flowers are tiny and measure 1/16 wide.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The three-parted capsule is green with a reddish blush that measures less than 1/8 inch long. The tiny seeds are four-sided or ovoid shaped with a wrinkled surface.
Stem color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Plants have long, smooth, erect to ascending, branched stems that are often green, reddish or yellowish in color. The stems have sparse to dense soft hairs, but they are usually smooth distally. The stems contain a milky sap.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical and Subtropical North and South America
Distribution
Native: Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the United States: AL, AZ, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NM, SC, TX, and UT; Introduced: Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, India, Liberia, Mali, New South Wales, Nigeria, Queensland, Samoa, Taiwan, Western Australia, and the United States: HI, MD, and NY
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#summer annual weed #delicate #red stems #white flowers #fast growing #summer flowers #annual #high maintenance #problem for children #problem for dogs #poisonous #problem for cats #weedy #contact dermatitis
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Weedy
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.