Matted Sandmat

Description

Euphorbia serpens-is a species of-euphorb-known by the common name-matted sandmat. It is native to South America but it can be found on most continents as an-introduced species-and often a weed.-This is an annual herb forming a mat of prostrate stems which root at nodes where the stem comes in contact with the ground. The oval leaves occur in oppositely arranged pairs, each leaf less than a centimeter long. The-inflorescence-is a-cyathium-with scalloped white petal-like appendages surrounding the actual flowers. A red nectar gland is at the base of each appendage, and at the center of the cyathium are several male flowers around one female flower. The fruit is a lobed, spherical capsule.