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Euphorbia hyssopifolia

L. (1759)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia

hyssopleaf sandmat, spurge

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Glabrous annual herbs.

Stems: Stems red or green, erect or ascending, 0.15–0.6 m long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades oblong to linear–oblong, 8–30 mm long, 4–12 mm wide. Apex rounded or obtuse. Base rounded to subcordate. Lower surfaces glabrous to sparsely pilose; blades, membranous. Margins serrate. Veins conspicuous. Petioles 1–1.5 mm long. Stipules present ± connate, deltate, 0.5–1 mm long, ciliate.

Flowers: Flowers in cyathia in terminal or lateral, leafy, few flowered cymes; staminate flowers 4–15 per cyathium. involucre 0.8–1 mm high, glabrous, glands oblong to broadly reniform, 0.1–0.3 mm long, appendages white to pinkish, shorter or up to twice as long as the gland is wide, margins entire. Flowers unisexual and highly reduced. Pistillate flowers solitary, on a gynophore; staminate flowers in 5 groups or cymules, each with 1 to several flowers. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Male flower reduced to a single stamen, with an articulation at junction of pedicel and filament, subtended by slender bracteoles. Ovary superior, 3-carpellate; ovules 1 per cell, anatropous.

Fruit: Capsules ovoid–deltoid; 1.5–2 mm high; 1.6–2mm in diameter; usually broadest below middle; glabrous. Seeds black or gray; ovoid; 4–angled; l–1.4 mm long; the faces with 3–4 transverse ridges.

Ploidy: 2n = 12; 14

Habitat: Low elevation; dry; disturbed sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Synonyms (33)

Anisophyllum hyssopifolium (L.) Haw. (1812)
Chamaesyce brasiliensis (Lam.) Small (1903)
Chamaesyce hyssopifolia (L.) Small (1905)
Chamaesyce jenningsii Millsp. ex Britton (1916)
Chamaesyce jonesii (Millsp.) Millsp. (1916)
Chamaesyce nirurioides Millsp. (1914)
Euphorbia blanchetii Miq. ex Boiss. (1850)
Euphorbia brasiliensis Lam. (1788)
Euphorbia brasiliensis f. angustior Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis f. latior Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis f. major Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis f. pruinosa Chodat (1901)
Euphorbia brasiliensis f. subsessilis Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. blanchetii (Miq. ex Boiss.) Boiss. (1862)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. genuina Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. hyssopifolia (L.) Boiss. (1862)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. paraguayensis Chodat (1901)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. pruinosa (Chodat) Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. pulchella Boiss. (1862)
Euphorbia brasiliensis var. uniflora Chodat & Hassl. (1905)
Euphorbia domingensis Spreng. ex Boiss. (1862)
Euphorbia hypericifolia var. falciformis Klotzsch (1843)
Euphorbia hyssopifolia var. blanchetii (Miq. ex Boiss.) Oudejans (1993)
Euphorbia hyssopifolia var. paraguayensis (Chodat) Oudejans (1993)
Euphorbia hyssopifolia var. pruinosa (Chodat) Oudejans (1993)
Euphorbia hyssopifolia var. pulchella (Boiss.) Oudejans (1993)
Euphorbia hyssopifolia var. uniflora (Chodat & Hassl.) Oudejans (1993)
Euphorbia jonesii Millsp. (1890)
Euphorbia klotzschiana Miq. (1851)
Euphorbia nirurioides (Millsp.) Fawc. & Rendle (1920)
Euphorbia pulchella Kunth (1817)
Euphorbia serrulata Vell. (1829)
Euphorbia stenomeres S.F.Blake (1922)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Potentially Naturalizing
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Not in flora
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1048 (1759)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:610 (K, O, M, H [as Chamaesyce hyssopifolia]); Bruegmann 1999:2 (Mi [spms. never arrived at BISH, treated as questionable]); Herbarium Pacificum Staff 1999:3 (L); Govaerts et al. 2000:320/Yang & Berry 2011 (Syn. C. hyssopifolia = E. hyssopifolia); Oppenheimer 2003:11 (Mo); Starr & Starr 2017:4 (Ka); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:178 (remove Ka [re-IDed as E. hypericifolia])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahala, Kau roadside Preserved_Specimen weed Degener, O. 35713 Hawaii BISH 1983-03-26
2 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waihole valley, N branch of road ca. 1.5 km in from ocean Recently mowed / tilled area on roadside in wet area Preserved_Specimen Large, even aged colony of this mixed with Phyllanthus debilis along around 5 m of roadside Faccenda, K. 2709 Oahu BISH 2022-09-20
3 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kalaupapa; peninsula, near lighthouse cottages Preserved_Specimen glabrous annual herb Wysong, M.L. 768 Molokai BISH 2005-08-09
4 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puuwaawaa. Near transect T17 On bare aa. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Takeuchi, W.N. 5720 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
5 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lihue Plantation, off haul cane road between Hanamaulu and Hanahanapuni cone with Euphorbia glomerifera, E. geniculata, Paspalum on dirt banks Preserved_Specimen to 1 ft. Ishikawa, S. 282 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
6 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kaunakakai, near the wharf Growing in waste area. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 70115 Molokai BISH 2001-07-14
7 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Private lotus farm, Waialua Beach Rd, Waialua Weed on dry bank of lotus field. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9238 Oahu BISH 1992-04-05
8 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Plateau, Wahiawa, along old runway south Preserved_Specimen to 24 in. Nagata, K.M. 1384 Oahu BISH 1976-10-27
9 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahoa Preserved_Specimen upright, ~6 in. Kama, R. 83 Hawaii BISH 1967-04-01
10 Euphorbia hyssopifolia On slopes of Pali Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
11 Euphorbia hyssopifolia North Kohala, Kealahewa Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5621 Hawaii BISH 1976-01-20
12 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lawai Valley, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, by haul cane road bridge Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2881 Kauai BISH 1973-02-06
13 Euphorbia hyssopifolia 1385 Maunawili Rd, Honolulu, HI, US OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
14 Euphorbia hyssopifolia grounds of Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5140 Kauai BISH 1983-12-20
15 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lawai Valley, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, by haul cane road bridge Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2881 Kauai BISH 1973-02-06
16 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Polihale Beach dune area Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-09-24
17 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puna, along main access road to Kalapana Seaview Estates subdivision behind Kalapana various grasses in sunny location Preserved_Specimen forb less tha 12 in. Nagata, K.M. 1865 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-31
18 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Hakalau Sugar Co., field 24 Preserved_Specimen Hanson, N. Hawaii BISH 1963-02-06
19 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Wahiawa street Preserved_Specimen weed Degener, O. 35667 Oahu BISH 1982-02-26
20 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Makawao, near Kahului Airport, toward Kanaha Beach Park disturbed grasslands. Preserved_Specimen stem weakly ascending Wagner, W.L. 5787 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
21 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Honolulu, UH Manoa campus, Moiliili Quarry, edge of parking lot with Amaranthus spinosus and Waltheria americana Preserved_Specimen decumbent Nagata, K.M. 1262 Oahu BISH 1975-04-02
22 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waimanalo, Azevedo Field, jct. Hihimanu St. and Kalanianaole Hwy roadside Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4824 Oahu BISH 1983-06-04
23 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waimea, Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility. NW of Sandia/DOE complex secondary vegetation dominated by Prosopis, Lantana, Panicum, and Cenchrus. Locally common with Ageratum, Bidens, and Aster Preserved_Specimen Erect herb. Leaves dark, dull green above, glaucous below; stems pale green tinged reddish-brown; cyatheal bracts white Flynn, T.W. 3742 Kauai BISH 1990-01-25
24 Euphorbia hyssopifolia P.T.B.G. Lawai Valley Abundant in open, disturbed areas of valley. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2295 Kauai BISH 1972-01-04
25 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Koloa, Kalaheo, Kalawai Park Secondary vegetation of Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, and Ficus microcarpa. Common weed in open areas. Preserved_Specimen Diffuse herb with latex. Cyathia with white glands, fruits green or reddish. Lorence, D.H. 5209 Kauai BISH 1987-05-10
26 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puuwaawaa. Near transect T17 On bare aa. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Takeuchi, W.N. 5720 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
27 Euphorbia hyssopifolia North Kahala, Kealahewa abandoned sugar cane field Preserved_Specimen weed Herbst, D.R. 5621 Hawaii BISH 1976-01-20
28 Euphorbia hyssopifolia 1/3 to 2/3 mi SSE of Waikoloa substation dominated by naturalized grasses Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4715 Hawaii BISH 1982-11-20
29 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Mākaha, Jade St., substation near end of street Dry, sunny area, from gravel at substation Preserved_Specimen C.a. 20 plants in this area, decumbent and mat forming Faccenda, K. 2987 Oahu BISH 2023-01-16
30 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Makawao, near Kahului Airport, toward Kanaha Beach Park disturbed grasslands. Preserved_Specimen stem weakly ascending Wagner, W.L. 5786 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
31 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Spreckelsville Locally common, along cane haul roads. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4449 Maui BISH 1997-05-14
32 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Between Kailua and Keahole Airport exposed, arid roadside, along highway Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5030 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
33 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahala Locally abundant about Lec's Service Station Preserved_Specimen Weed; new (?) record Degener, O. 36648 Hawaii BISH 1983-12-05
34 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kalamaula Game Management Area. Haole koa shrubland. Preserved_Specimen Radially spreading, prostrate groundcover, 0.4 m tall, stems multiple branching. Leaves linear-oblong. Flowers white to pinkish. Occasional naturalized weed. Hughes, G.D. 30 Molokai BISH 1992-02-28
35 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Booth Rd. near Star Rd Crack between sidewalk and wall, sunny exposed area Preserved_Specimen Local patch, stem bright red and glossy Faccenda, K. 1811 Oahu BISH 2021-05-15
36 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lanai Airport, along access road to Weedy herb growing along with other roadside weeds: Conyza, Panicum maximum, Emilia, Chloris, Verbena. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 982 Lanai BISH 1998-03-27
37 Euphorbia hyssopifolia within the Halepuaa Forest Reserve in thie Puna District Found within the bulldozed area in the western tip of the reserve in the disturbed areas within the Forest Reserve. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 79.231 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-29
38 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puna, near Punaluu, lower Pulama roadside Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3014 Hawaii BISH 1959-07-01
39 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Near Paia. Sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1993-04-25
40 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahala, Kau roadside Preserved_Specimen weed Degener, O. 35713 Hawaii BISH 1983-03-26
41 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waihole valley, N branch of road ca. 1.5 km in from ocean Recently mowed / tilled area on roadside in wet area Preserved_Specimen Large, even aged colony of this mixed with Phyllanthus debilis along around 5 m of roadside Faccenda, K. 2709 Oahu BISH 2022-09-20
42 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kalaupapa; peninsula, near lighthouse cottages Preserved_Specimen glabrous annual herb Wysong, M.L. 768 Molokai BISH 2005-08-09
43 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puuwaawaa. Near transect T17 On bare aa. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Takeuchi, W.N. 5720 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
44 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lihue Plantation, off haul cane road between Hanamaulu and Hanahanapuni cone with Euphorbia glomerifera, E. geniculata, Paspalum on dirt banks Preserved_Specimen to 1 ft. Ishikawa, S. 282 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
45 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kaunakakai, near the wharf Growing in waste area. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 70115 Molokai BISH 2001-07-14
46 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Private lotus farm, Waialua Beach Rd, Waialua Weed on dry bank of lotus field. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9238 Oahu BISH 1992-04-05
47 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Plateau, Wahiawa, along old runway south Preserved_Specimen to 24 in. Nagata, K.M. 1384 Oahu BISH 1976-10-27
48 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahoa Preserved_Specimen upright, ~6 in. Kama, R. 83 Hawaii BISH 1967-04-01
49 Euphorbia hyssopifolia On slopes of Pali Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
50 Euphorbia hyssopifolia North Kohala, Kealahewa Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5621 Hawaii BISH 1976-01-20
51 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lawai Valley, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, by haul cane road bridge Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2881 Kauai BISH 1973-02-06
52 Euphorbia hyssopifolia 1385 Maunawili Rd, Honolulu, HI, US OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Hawaii HAPI 10/18/2007
53 Euphorbia hyssopifolia grounds of Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5140 Kauai BISH 1983-12-20
54 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lawai Valley, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, by haul cane road bridge Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2881 Kauai BISH 1973-02-06
55 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Polihale Beach dune area Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-09-24
56 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puna, along main access road to Kalapana Seaview Estates subdivision behind Kalapana various grasses in sunny location Preserved_Specimen forb less tha 12 in. Nagata, K.M. 1865 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-31
57 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Hakalau Sugar Co., field 24 Preserved_Specimen Hanson, N. Hawaii BISH 1963-02-06
58 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Wahiawa street Preserved_Specimen weed Degener, O. 35667 Oahu BISH 1982-02-26
59 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Makawao, near Kahului Airport, toward Kanaha Beach Park disturbed grasslands. Preserved_Specimen stem weakly ascending Wagner, W.L. 5787 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
60 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Honolulu, UH Manoa campus, Moiliili Quarry, edge of parking lot with Amaranthus spinosus and Waltheria americana Preserved_Specimen decumbent Nagata, K.M. 1262 Oahu BISH 1975-04-02
61 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waimanalo, Azevedo Field, jct. Hihimanu St. and Kalanianaole Hwy roadside Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4824 Oahu BISH 1983-06-04
62 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Waimea, Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility. NW of Sandia/DOE complex secondary vegetation dominated by Prosopis, Lantana, Panicum, and Cenchrus. Locally common with Ageratum, Bidens, and Aster Preserved_Specimen Erect herb. Leaves dark, dull green above, glaucous below; stems pale green tinged reddish-brown; cyatheal bracts white Flynn, T.W. 3742 Kauai BISH 1990-01-25
63 Euphorbia hyssopifolia P.T.B.G. Lawai Valley Abundant in open, disturbed areas of valley. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2295 Kauai BISH 1972-01-04
64 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Koloa, Kalaheo, Kalawai Park Secondary vegetation of Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, and Ficus microcarpa. Common weed in open areas. Preserved_Specimen Diffuse herb with latex. Cyathia with white glands, fruits green or reddish. Lorence, D.H. 5209 Kauai BISH 1987-05-10
65 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puuwaawaa. Near transect T17 On bare aa. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb. Takeuchi, W.N. 5720 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
66 Euphorbia hyssopifolia North Kahala, Kealahewa abandoned sugar cane field Preserved_Specimen weed Herbst, D.R. 5621 Hawaii BISH 1976-01-20
67 Euphorbia hyssopifolia 1/3 to 2/3 mi SSE of Waikoloa substation dominated by naturalized grasses Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4715 Hawaii BISH 1982-11-20
68 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Mākaha, Jade St., substation near end of street Dry, sunny area, from gravel at substation Preserved_Specimen C.a. 20 plants in this area, decumbent and mat forming Faccenda, K. 2987 Oahu BISH 2023-01-16
69 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Makawao, near Kahului Airport, toward Kanaha Beach Park disturbed grasslands. Preserved_Specimen stem weakly ascending Wagner, W.L. 5786 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
70 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Spreckelsville Locally common, along cane haul roads. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4449 Maui BISH 1997-05-14
71 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Between Kailua and Keahole Airport exposed, arid roadside, along highway Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5030 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-17
72 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Pahala Locally abundant about Lec's Service Station Preserved_Specimen Weed; new (?) record Degener, O. 36648 Hawaii BISH 1983-12-05
73 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Kalamaula Game Management Area. Haole koa shrubland. Preserved_Specimen Radially spreading, prostrate groundcover, 0.4 m tall, stems multiple branching. Leaves linear-oblong. Flowers white to pinkish. Occasional naturalized weed. Hughes, G.D. 30 Molokai BISH 1992-02-28
74 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Booth Rd. near Star Rd Crack between sidewalk and wall, sunny exposed area Preserved_Specimen Local patch, stem bright red and glossy Faccenda, K. 1811 Oahu BISH 2021-05-15
75 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Lanai Airport, along access road to Weedy herb growing along with other roadside weeds: Conyza, Panicum maximum, Emilia, Chloris, Verbena. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 982 Lanai BISH 1998-03-27
76 Euphorbia hyssopifolia within the Halepuaa Forest Reserve in thie Puna District Found within the bulldozed area in the western tip of the reserve in the disturbed areas within the Forest Reserve. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 79.231 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-29
77 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Puna, near Punaluu, lower Pulama roadside Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3014 Hawaii BISH 1959-07-01
78 Euphorbia hyssopifolia Near Paia. Sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1993-04-25
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