Euphorbia maculata

Similar to (and sometimes combined with) C. humistrata but does not root at the lower nodes and has bifid styles much shorter than 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).

The Acadian French name for this spurge is "petit pourpier", which means "little purslane" (Holmes 1990). It is not related to purslane but both have a prostrate habit. It grows throughout Louisiana and Texas in fields, gardens and waste places. It is a tenacious plant that is often found growing in cracks in the sidewalks (as was the plant in the photo) and in pots at plant nurseries.

Disturbed sandy soils.