Common Names: Smallseed Sandmat
Synonyms: Chamaesyce polycarpa var. hirtella, Euphorbia polycarpa, Euphorbia polycarpa var. hirtella
Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge)
Habit: annual forb/herb
Size: up to 10 inches
Flowers: all year
Bloom: white, red, black
Leaves: opposite
Fruit: capsule
Description: It has stems that trail along the ground to form a clump or mat, sometimes growing somewhat upright. The leaves are each under a centimeter long. They are round or oval-shaped and have triangular stipules at the bases. Leaves and stems may be sparsely hairy, or hairless. Stems generally stay close to the ground, and they branch readily, forming dense mats. Stems bear opposite pairs of dull green leaves, often tinged purple. The flower consists of four white, petal-like appendages which have a shiny reddish-black gland at the base. Bracts surrounding the flower unit are white and petal-like. What looks like a single flower is actually an inflorescence of many staminate (male) flowers united around a single central pistillate (female) flower.
Distribution: AZ, CA, NV
Seen: Lake Mead
Habitat: dry, desert
