Creeping Spurges
What are they?
The spurges are a rather large group of plants in the family Euphorbiaceae. This is a rather variable group of plants that includes creeping, ground-hugging annuals, rather weedy species of open ground and a varied bunch of multi-stemmed perennials which typically have rather stiff, upright stems; this page covers the ground-hugging, creeping species that are often known as sandmats and are sometimes placed in the genus Chamaesyce. The creeping spurges mostly have white and dark red flowers that are made up of an intriguing and highly distinctive cluster of parts. These parts typically include a female flower and a small cluster (perhaps 2-4) of male flowers. These flowers sit atop a small structure (technically called a cyathium) which also carries a ring of coloured glands. The glands are more or less semi-circular in outline. After pollination, the stalked, female ovary elongates and becomes enlarged as the seeds develop inside.
Where are they found?
The creeping species of spurge are currently a sorry group in East Anglia, consisting of a couple of rare introductions and an extinct native with an uncertain history. Introductions are perhaps originating as birdseed contaminants or from seed introduced with building materials. If found, they are most likely to be growing as weeds of gravel paths or growing from cracks in pavements.
Identification
All species can be quickly identified as spurges by their milky snap, which is revealed by pulling off part of a leaf. A quick look at leaf shape is a good first step to narrow down the choices. After that, identification is largely based upon the flower structure and you should note the colour of the flowers (especially the glands) and the shape of the glands. After flowering, details of the fruit should be noted, especially whether the surface of the seed pod is smooth or bumpy and hairless or hairy.
Purple Spurge Euphorbia peplis
Once native in the UK, but last recorded on Lundy, Devon in 1965 and on the Channel Islands in 1976. Possibly once occurred in East Anglia on suitable beach substrates of coarse sand or very fine shingle and typically growing on or close to the high tide line. Flowers July to September. Stems reddish purple or yellow in colour, creeping to form leafy mats. Leaves relatively large for this group of plants, to 15mm in length, somewhat fleshy.
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Spotted Spurge Euphorbia maculata
Introduced from North America. In the UK, this species has mostly been reported from quarries and nurseries and has been found recently in South Norfolk spreading from a garden that had recently added stone chippings. Flowers late May to June. Stems creeping to form leafy mats. Leaves lightly toothed on the margins and usually with a dark blotch, but this blotch may be absent on some plants. Stems lightly hairy. Flowers with white glands. Seed capsules grooved and without dimpled surfaces but with a light covering of hairs.
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Prostrate Spurge Euphorbia prostrata
A rare introduction in the UK, rarely persisting and twice recorded in our region in Norwich and near Cambridge. from Flowers late May to June. Stems creeping to form leafy mats. Leaves lightly toothed on the margins and stems noticeably hairy towards the tips. Flowers with reddish glands. Seed capsules rough, hairy on the keels.
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