HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Euphorbia thymifolia L.

Dwarf spurge

Synonym: Chamaesyce thymifolia (L.) Millsp

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Description

Euphorbia thymifolia is a small annual herbaceous plant, usually 5–30 cm long, with a prostrate, mat-forming growth habit. The stems are slender, reddish-green, highly branched, and covered with fine hairs; white milky latex is present when the plant is injured. Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic to ovate, usually 0.5–2 cm long, with finely serrated margins, an unequal base, and a hairy surface. Small leaf-like stipules are often present between the petioles, a characteristic feature of this group. Flowers are tiny, unisexual, and arranged in axillary cyathia. The cyathia are surrounded by small glandular structures and reduced bracts. Fruits are small, hairy, three-lobed capsules containing three seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Small creeping herb. Opposite hairy leaves. Reddish stems. Milky latex.

Floral

Axillary cyathia. Reduced unisexual flowers.

Fruit & Seed

Hairy three-lobed capsule.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Tropical Asia. Distributed in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tropical regions.

In Pakistan: Common. Found in Fields, Gardens, Roadsides.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Spring–autumn Fruiting: Summer–autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance

Traditionally used for Diarrhea, Dysentery, Skin diseases, Worm infections. Reported phytochemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Agricultural Importance

Common weed in cultivated areas. Produces many small seeds.

Ecological Importance

Forms ground cover in disturbed habitats. Supports small insects.

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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 thymifolia belongs to the former Chamaesyce group and is closely related to E. prostrata and E. indica. It differs by Smaller hairy leaves, More compact growth, Hairy fruits, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌱 Tiny creeping herb, 🍃 Opposite hairy leaves.