Euphorbia heterophylla

Leaves mostly alternate, but those in the inflorescense are opposite. Petals absent but has distinctive orange to purple bracts.

The following information is for the genus Euphorbia including ground-spurges (Chamaesyce) and several other groups that some botanists recognize as distinct genera: Animals that eat its seeds: Ground dove, Mourning dove, Bobwhite quail, Gambel quail, Chestnut-bellied scaled quail, Painted bunting, Horned lark, American pipit, Chipping sparrow. Animals that eat the plant: Antelope (Martin et al. 1951).

Occurs infrequently in loamy soil of the Rio Grande delta in extreme south Texas eastward to all of south Louisiana. Euphorbia heterophylla occurs throughout the United States with the exception of the northeast and northwest. It is widespread in tropical America.

Open or wooded and disturbed areas. Usually in sandy soil.