HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Euphorbia hypericifolia L.

Graceful spurge

Synonym: Chamaesyce hypericifolia (L.) Millsp

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Description

Euphorbia hypericifolia is a small annual herb, usually 15–50 cm tall, with an erect, spreading, or slightly prostrate growth habit. The stem is slender, branched, green to reddish, and usually smooth or sparsely hairy, producing white latex when injured. Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic to oblong, usually 1–4 cm long, with finely serrated margins, an acute apex, and a smooth to slightly hairy surface. Flowers are very small, unisexual, and arranged in compact axillary clusters of cyathia. The cyathia are surrounded by small white petal-like appendages, which may give the inflorescences a conspicuous appearance. Fruits are small, smooth, three-lobed capsules containing three seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Small delicate herb. Opposite leaves. Smooth to slightly hairy stems. Milky latex.

Floral

Axillary cyathia. Small white appendages around inflorescences.

Fruit & Seed

Smooth three-lobed capsule.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Tropical America. Naturalized throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, Tropical regions worldwide.

In Pakistan: Recorded from, Urban disturbed habitats.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Almost throughout the year in warm regions Fruiting: Following flowering

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance

Traditional uses include Skin disorders, Digestive problems, Inflammation. Reported compounds include Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Phenolics.

Ecological Importance

Part of urban and agricultural weed communities. Provides food resources for insects.

Agricultural Importance

May behave as a minor weed in cultivated areas.

UniFlora AI Assistant

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Euphorbia hypericifolia belongs to the former Chamaesyce group of Euphorbia. It can be separated from Euphorbia hirta by Smaller size, Less hairy stems, Smooth capsules, More delicate appearance, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌱 Small spreading herb.