petty spurge

Petty spurge, scientifically known as Euphorbia peplus, is an Old World plant that has become an introduced weed in the eastern United States. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Euphorbia, which encompasses at least 2,100 species within the Euphorbiaceae family.12

Spurges exhibit a wide range of forms, from low-creeping herbs to shrubs and trees. A common characteristic is their milky sap, which is often poisonous, unlike the true cacti they may resemble. The genus includes many species that are cultivated as ornamentals, used for medicinal purposes, or are considered agricultural weeds and invasive species. Petty spurge is noted as a weed alongside other species like flowering spurge and leafy spurge.2