Euphorbia humistrata

Identification tip: Very similar to (and sometimes combined with) Chamaesyce maculata but tends to root at the lower nodes and has bifid styles almost half as long as the capsule (Correll and Johnston 1979).

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).

Found in a variety of soils but is most common in disturbed, sandy soils. In coastal prairie, sandmat is found from Louisiana to southeast Texas. It ranges throughout the eastern United States. It is adventive in California and Oregon. It has reportedly become naturalized in Europe.

Moist alluvial ground along streams, ponds, and low fields.