Spotted spurge is a low, mat-forming weed that pops up in hot weather in thin turf, cracks, and beds.
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia maculata
- Type
- Summer annual broadleaf
- Most visible
- June–September
How to Identify Spotted Spurge
- Small oval leaves, often with a red-purple spot
- Pinkish stems that radiate from a central root
- Milky sap when broken
- Forms flat mats
When It Shows Up in Oklahoma Lawns
Germinates later than crabgrass, once soil is warm, and thrives in heat and drought.
How to Control Spotted Spurge
- Apply a pre-emergent before seeds germinate (late winter for summer annuals, early fall for winter annuals); a second application may help
- Hand-pull before it seeds
- Spot-treat with a selective herbicide labeled for the weed and safe for your grass type, following the label exactly
- Mulch beds