Family: Euphorbiaceae - Spurge [E-flora]
"Euphorbia serpyllifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
Subtaxa Present in B.C.
"General: Annual herb from a fibrous root; stems usually prostrate, freely branched with milky juice, 5-30 cm long. Leaves: Obliquely oblong to more oblong egg-shaped, toothed near the tip, 5-15 mm long; stipules at the base lanceolate, irregularly margined, 0.5-1.5 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Dry, sandy or gravelly sites in the lowland and steppe vegetation zones; rare on S Vancouver Island and SC BC; E to MB and S to MO, TX, NM, CA and MX." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Hazards
Edible Uses
"Thymeleaf sandmat was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is not normally used in modern herbalism and any use of this plant should be done with great care because of its potentially toxic nature[K]." [PFAF]
Cultivation & Propagation
"We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Other members of the genus prefer a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[1]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, although no individual species has been singled out[141]." [PFAF]
"Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20oc." [PFAF]
Synonyms"Note: Forms monophyletic group with Chamaesyce..." [Jepson] "Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae) has about 2000 species worldwide and is well known for the remarkable diversity of succulent and non-succulent plants that are avidly grown by horticultural enthusiasts. The entire genus is characterized by the presence of a cyathium, a unique inflorescence type (Prenner & Rudall, 2007; Prenner & al., 2011). The genus appears to have originated in the Old World (Steinmann & Porter, 2002), with multiple New World groups embedded in it. The largest New World lineage consists of more than 500 species that are characterized by the presence of petaloid appendages subtending the cyathial glands, although this feature has been subsequently lost a number of times. This petaloid appendage-bearing, New World group is deeply nested within Old World groups, and together they constitute Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce Raf. (Steinmann & Porter, 2002; Bruyns & al., 2006; Horn & al., 2012a). Subgenus Chamaesyce is best known for its leafy, non-succulent, ornamental species, such as the Christmas Poinsettia (E. pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch), one of the most profitable potted plants in the world." [Yang et al.,2012]
"Among the four subgenera of Euphorbia, Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce is the second-most species-rich, encompassing around 600 species worldwide." [Yang et al.,2012]
"Due to widespread convergence in growth forms and cyathial characters, subgeneric classification within Euphorbia has been notoriously contentious. The current scheme of four subgenera is based on molecular evidence. All molecular phylogenetic studies to date support all cyathium-bearing species as forming a monophyletic Euphorbia s.l. (Steinmann & Porter, 2002; Bruyns & al., 2006, 2011; Park & Jansen, 2007; Zimmermann & al., 2010; Horn & al., 2012a). These studies also support the monophyly of four major clades within Euphorbia, which were informally named by Steinmann & Porter (2002) as clades A, B, C and D. Among them, clade D was later recognized by Bruyns & al. (2006) as subg. Chamaesyce Raf." [Yang et al.,2012]
Local Species;"Chamaesyce sp.; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Mexico; (6) metrorrhagia, pink eye; (8) Kickapoo" [CRC Eth]
Species not found in POWO search. May not be an accepted species name. [Personal Observation]
"Chamaesyce berteriana; (3) euphorbiaceae; (4) Haiti; (6) asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, dysuria, fever, toothache (1)" [CRC Eth]