Scientific Family
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Euphorbia capitellata, Euphorbia pycnanthema, Chamaesyce pycnanthema
Other common names
spurge
(Spanish: golondrina)
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Camaesyce sp.
Height
1 to 16 inches
Riparian
No
A small, low growing forb. Stems are ascending to erect. Has slender woody taproot.
Petaloid appendages that are nearly equal, opposite leaves with serrated margins and asymmetric bases, hairy ovules, staminate flowers 15 to 60 and dense head-like clusters of flowers distinguish this from other Chamaesyce sp.
Habitat
A low desert and grassland plant.
Plant Community
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
5100
Flower Characteristics
Male and female flowers on the same plant. Inversely conical with the attachment at the small end. Less than 1/16 inch across. Glands are orbicular to oval. Appendages are white or pinkish. Flowers are compactly clustered.
Flower color
White or pinkish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are narrowly lanceolate to ovate. Usually serrate along the lower margin and entire on the upper margin. Stems are puberulent to smooth.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules are shallowly 3 lobed and less than 1/16 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Reddish-brown to gray
Seeds are quadrangular and tiny (less than 1/16 inch long).