Plant Profile: Euphorbia serpens

Spurges are annual weeds that thrive during the summer months, particularly in warm climates, where some varieties can even survive into late fall. These plants typically bloom in the summer and early fall, only to perish after the first frost. Their flowers are characterized by a greenish-white hue. Spurges rank among the most prevalent warm-season weeds, and they release a milky sap when their stems or leaves are damaged.

**Management Strategies for Spurges:** Due to their early flowering and minimal seed dormancy, spurges can quickly proliferate. To mitigate seed production, it is advisable to remove these plants while they are still young. Hand weeding can be labor-intensive because of the high number of seedlings that emerge. Additionally, certain species are known to eject seeds forcefully. Most preemergence herbicides that are approved for use are effective in managing spurges.

Creeping spurge is distinct from other prostrate spurges in several ways: it roots at the nodes, features smaller and more rounded leaves, and has a stem that is devoid of hairs. Beyond this, little information is available about this species, except that it has become naturalized in California and has recently been discovered in nurseries across the eastern United States.