SafePlants

Euphorbia melanadenia - Red-gland Spurge

Euphorbia melanadenia, commonly known as red-gland spurge, is a fascinating plant belonging to the spurge family. It is also known as Squaw Sandmat.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Euphorbia melanadenia (Torr.) Millsp.
• Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonym: Chamaesyce melanadenia (Torr.) Millsp.
• Alternative Scientific Name: Euphorbia melanadenia Torr. &amp A.Gray
• Common Names: Red-gland spurge, Prostrate Spurge, Red-gland Sandmat, Squaw Sandmat

Considerations for Pets

• The plant exudes a bright white latex when broken, which may be a concern for pets if ingested or if it comes into contact with their skin.

Considerations for Children

• The plant exudes a bright white latex when broken, which may be a concern for children if ingested or if it comes into contact with their skin.

Distribution and Habitat

• Euphorbia melanadenia is native to the deserts and mountains of Baja California and the western and southwestern United States.
• Observed in locations such as Griffith Park, Angeles National Forest MRCA Open Space, and Franklin Canyon in Los Angeles, CA.
• It is widespread at elevations of 1000-5300 feet.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is a perennial herb, taprooted and many-stemmed at the base.
• The stems tend to hug the ground (prostrate).
• It does not root at the nodes.
• The involucre is 1-1.5 mm, bell-shaped, and tomentose.
• Glands are less than 1 mm, oblong, and have a scalloped, white appendage, the appendage width equals the gland width.
• Staminate flowers number 15-20, generally in groups of 5.
• Leaves are generally one per node.
• The stems are light green, pale red, or nearly white; they are terete and hairy to slightly hairy.
• There are 4 red nectar glands with whitish petaloid appendages.
• The tiny, unusual flowers have white, petal-like appendages with 3 to 5 distinctive point-tipped lobes and red central glands.

Quirky Facts

• What appear to be flower petals are actually bracts, which can be red, pink, or white.
• Dark red nectar glands in the center of the bracts add to the plant's visual appeal.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The greenish nectar glands on the rim of the cyathium are attractive to pollinators.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Chamaesyce melanadenia.