Etymology: Chamaesyce: ancient Greek Chamai meaning "on the ground" for a kind of prostrate plant
Plants: sprawling, annual, 4"-16" tall forb, hairless, with many branches, very leafy, milky juice
Leaves: broadly oblong with finely toothed tips
Flowers: 4-parted, no petals or sepals but surrounded by petal-like parts; blooms July-Oct.
Fruits: 3-angled capsule, the 3 seeds smooth to pitted and 4 angled
Habitat: dry; in rocky soil
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 1 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"