HerbWildPerennialMedicinal

Euphorbia prostrata Aiton

Hazar dani dodhak

Synonym: Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small

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Description

Euphorbia prostrata is a small annual herb with a distinctly prostrate, mat-forming habit, usually spreading 10–30 cm across. The stems are slender, reddish-green, highly branched, and lie close to the soil surface. Stems are often covered with fine hairs and contain white milky latex when damaged. Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic to oblong, usually 5–15 mm long, with finely serrated margins, an unequal base, and a green to reddish colour. Flowers are minute, unisexual, and grouped into axillary cyathia. The cyathia are usually accompanied by small white petal-like appendages, making the flower clusters slightly visible. Fruits are small, smooth to slightly hairy, three-lobed capsules containing three seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Prostrate mat-forming habit. Opposite small leaves. Reddish creeping stems.

Floral

Axillary cyathia. White appendages around cyathia.

Fruit & Seed

Three-lobed capsule. Three seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Tropical and subtropical America. Now widespread in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia.

In Pakistan: Found throughout Pakistan, Urban areas, Agricultural fields.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Spring–autumn Fruiting: Summer–autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance

Traditionally used for Skin diseases, Digestive complaints, Inflammation. The plant contains Flavonoids, Triterpenoids, Phenolic compounds.

Agricultural Importance

Common weed of lawns and cultivated fields. Difficult to remove due to prostrate growth and seed production.

Ecological Importance

Colonizes disturbed habitats quickly. Provides ground cover in urban environments. Toxicity milky latex may cause irritation to Skin, Eyes.

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 prostrata is closely related to other creeping spurges such as E. indica and E. hirta. It can be recognized by its Strongly prostrate habit, Small leaves, Mat-forming growth, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌱 Ground-hugging mat, 🍃 Tiny opposite leaves.