Identification and Distribution of the Weedy Spurges in the Delta of Mississippi

Abstract

The weedy spurges found in the Delta region of Mississippi, U.S.A., include spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculataL. # EPHMA), nodding spurge (Euphorbia nutansLag. # EPHNU), prostrate spurge (Euphorbia humistrataEngelm. ex Gray # EPHHT), creeping spurge (Euphorbia serpensH.B.K. # EPHSN), and hyssop spurge (Euphorbia hyssopifoliaL. # EPHHS). Nodding spurge was the most common while creeping spurge was the least common. Hyssop spurge, not previously known to be in Mississippi, was found in six of the 17 counties in the Delta of Mississippi. Hyssop spurge occurs with, and had previously been confused with, nodding spurge. Diagnostic characters, special identification features, and illustrations are provided to aid in identification of these five species of weedy spurges, which occur widely in the U.S.