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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Euphorbia polygonifolia [= Chamaesyce polygonifolia]

Northern Seaside Spurge, Northern Dune Spurge, Northern Sandmat

Scientific Name:

Euphorbia polygonifolia [= Chamaesyce polygonifolia]

Genus:

Euphorbia

Species Epithet:

polygonifolia

Common Name:

Northern Seaside Spurge, Northern Dune Spurge, Northern Sandmat

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Annual (Herbs Only)

Plant Family

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Yellow, Green

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June, July, August, September, October

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Open sands of dunes, upper beach, dune blowouts and overwashes, sometimes growing with perennial grasses such as Uniola paniculata, but preferring open sands with little competition, sometimes mixed with the less common E. bombensis. Common on the NC Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Annual (Herbs Only)

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

The tiny flowers are whitish to green or yellowish, and often the stems are red.

Northern Seaside Spurge growing in pure sand

Living up to its other common name of Sandmat, this euphorbia hugs the sand of dunes, upper beaches and overwashes. A common plant of beaches and barrier islands

image

Close-up

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Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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