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spotted sandmat
Scientific Name: Chamaesyce maculata
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Spotted Sandmat (Chamaesyce maculata)
Spotted Sandmat, also known as Spotted Spurge, is an annual plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to North America and is sometimes considered a weed.
Common Names
- Spotted Sandmat
- Spotted Spurge
- Prostrate Spurge
- Creeping Spurge
- Milk Purslane
- Eyebane
- Blotched Spurge
- Spotted Euphorbia
- Milk Spurge
- Spotted Pursley
- Spotted Mat-Spurge
- Small Spotted Sandmat
- Wormseed Sandmat
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small
- Synonyms:
- Euphorbia maculata L.
- Chamaesyce tracyi
- Euphorbia supina
- Euphorbia vermiculata Raf.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subclass: Rosidae
- Order: Euphorbiales
- Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
- Genus: Chamaesyce (sandmat)
- Species: Chamaesyce maculata
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America.
- Also found in Japan as an exotic species.
- Reported as invasive in California, North Dakota, and New York.
Ecological Role
- Can be considered a weed, growing quickly in warm temperatures.
- Its presence can be seen as undesirable in certain managed environments.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Annual plant.
- Prostrate growth habit, spreading with stems that can reach up to 20 inches long.
- Forms mats.
- Leaves may have a reddish blotch at the center.
Considerations for Pets
- The seeds become sticky when wet and can adhere to animal fur.
- Common names like "Milk Purslane" and "Milk Spurge" suggest the presence of sap.
Considerations for Children
- Common names like "Milk Purslane" and "Milk Spurge" suggest the presence of sap.
Quirky Facts
- The Cherokee used a decoction (a preparation made by boiling down plant material) of Spotted Sandmat for treating cancer and as a gynecological aid, specifically an infusion for bleeding after childbirth.
- Spotted sandmat is also referred to as "Slobber-weed".
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Seeds can stick to animal fur.
Further Information
- Dave's Garden: A community sharing gardening tips, seeds, and plants.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
- K.U.Leuven Campus Kortrijk plant guide.