Euphorbia serpens

Map
| No Photos Available

Distribution Map: Based on vouchered plant specimens from wild populations. Cultivated occurrences are not mapped. View county names by placing the cursor over the map.

Browse Photos

Consortia links

Image searches

Family:	EUPHORBIACEAE
Species:	Euphorbia serpens Kunth
Common Name:	MATTED SANDMAT
Plant Notes:	Formerly included in the genus Chamaesyce, this species is reclassified under Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce sect. Anisophyllum subsect. Hypericifoliae.
Status:	Native, FAC (NWPL)
Specimen:	View details of USF Herbarium specimens

** Not applicable or data not available.

Classification

Division
Class
Sub Class
Order	MALPIGHIALES
Family	EUPHORBIACEAE
Genus	Euphorbia
Species	Euphorbia serpens Kunth - MATTED SANDMAT

Citation

Citation	EUPHORBIA SERPENS Kunth, in Humboldt et al., Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 52. 1817.
Basionym:	**
Type:	VENEZUELA: Sucre: Cumaná, without data, Bonpland 407 (holotype: P; isotype: F fragm).

** Not applicable or data not available.

Source

County	Herbaria	Literature Citation (If Applicable)
Escambia	USF
Franklin	GH
Hillsborough	USF
Manatee	FLAS
Sarasota	FLAS

Synonyms

– Denotes synonyms that are applicable to the state. Show these synonyms only

Synonym	Full Citation	Basionym	Type
Anisophyllum serpens	Anisophyllum serpens (Kunth) Klotzsch & Garcke, in Klotzsch, Abh. Königl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1859(1): 23. 1860.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia serpens Kunth 1817.
Chamaesyce serpens	Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small, Fl. S.E. U.S. 709, 1333. 1903.	Euphorbia serpens Kunth 1817.
Euphorbia serpens subsp. genuina	Euphorbia serpens Kunth, (subsp.) genuina Thellung, in Ascherson & Graebner, Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 7: 442. 1916, nom. inadmiss.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia serpens Kunth 1817.
Chamaesyce biramensis	Chamaesyce biramensis (Urban) Alain, Contr. Ocas. Mus. Hist. Nat. Colegio "De La Salle" 11: 12. 1952.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia biramensis Urban 1930.
Chamaesyce mangleti	Chamaesyce mangleti (Urban) Alain, Contr. Ocas. Mus. Hist. Nat. Colegio "De La Salle" 11: 12. 1952.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia mangleti Urban 1930.
Chamaesyce microclada	Chamaesyce microclada (Urban) Alain, Contr. Ocas. Mus. Hist. Nat. Colegio "De La Salle" 11: 12. 1952.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia microclada Urban 1924.
Chamaesyce pileoides	Chamaesyce pileoides (Millspaugh) Millspaugh, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 2: 411. 1916.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia pileoides Millspaugh 1900.
Chamaesyce radicans	Chamaesyce radicans (Boissier) Millspaugh, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 2: 411. 1916.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia serpens Kunth, var. radicans Boissier 1862.
Euphorbia biramensis	Euphorbia biramensis Urban, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 28: 232. 1930.		TYPE: CUBA:
Euphorbia flexicaulis	Euphorbia flexicaulis Scheele, Linnaea 22: 153. 1849.		TYPE: TEXAS: Comal Co.: N of New Braunfels, Aug, Lindheimer s.n. (holotype: ?).
Euphorbia herniaroides	Euphorbia herniaroides Nuttall, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., ser. 2. 5: 171. 1837.		TYPE: ARKANSAS: Without data, Nuttall (?) s.n. (holotype: PH?).
Euphorbia mangleti	Euphorbia mangleti Urban, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 28: 233. 1930.		TYPE: CUBA:
Euphorbia microclada	Euphorbia microclada Urban, Symb. Antill. 9: 215. 1924.		TYPE: CUBA: Oriente: Near Daiquir, Nov, Ekman 8430 (holotype: ?).
Euphorbia pileoides	Euphorbia pileoides Millspaugh, Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 2: 62. 1900.		TYPE: PUERTO RICO: Guanica, s.d., Millspaugh 743 (holotype: F).
Euphorbia serpens forma psilocyathia	Euphorbia serpens Kunth, (forma) psilocyathia Thellung, in Ascherson & Graebner, Syn. Mitteleur Fl. 7: 442. 1917.		TYPE: ILLINOIS:
Euphorbia serpens var. flexicaulis	Euphorbia serpens Kunth, var. flexicaulis (Scheele) J. M. Coulter, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 2: 388. 1894.	BASIONYM: Euphorbia flexicaulis Scheele 1849.
Euphorbia serpens var. imbricata	Euphorbia serpens Kunth, var. imbricata Boissier, in de Candolle, Prodr. 15(2): 30. 1862.		TYPE: TEXAS: Without data, Lindheimer 693 (holotype: G).
Euphorbia serpens var. radicans	Euphorbia serpens Kunth, var. radicans Boissier, in de Candolle, Prodr. 15(2): 30. 1862.		TYPE: MEXICO: Tamaulipas: Tampico, s.d., Berlandier 140 (holotype: G; isotype: US).

Specimens

Country	State	County	Date	Specimen
USA	Texas	Ward Co.	03 Sep 1960	B. H. Warnock 18575
Mexico	Puebla		22 Jul 1970	M.F. McDiarmid s.n.
Jamaica	Middlesex Co.	St. Catherine Par.	23 Sep 1971	R. W. Long 3398
Jamaica	Middlesex Co.	St. Catherine Par.	23 Sep 1971	R. W. Long 3397
Cayman Islands	Grand Cayman Island		17 Dec 1971	N. Chevalier 254
U.S. Virgin Islands	St. Croix Island		20 May 1970	M. B. Meagher 224
Puerto Rico		Luquillo Mun.	29 Dec 1970	D. Burch 3213
Puerto Rico			19 May 1970	M. B. Meagher 212
Puerto Rico		Culebra Mun.	03 Jun 1969	D. Burch 1445
Puerto Rico		Cabo Rojo Mun.	31 Dec 1970	D. Burch 3243
Dominican Republic	Pedernales Prov.		15 Feb 1969	A. H. Liogier 13924
Guadeloupe			02 Jun 1969	D. Burch 1413
U.S. Virgin Islands	Tortola		12 Sep 1967	W. G. D'Arcy 2102
Antigua & Barbuda	Antigua		29 May 1969	D. Burch 1315
Antigua & Barbuda	Antigua	St. Mary Par.	02 Jun 1969	D. Burch 1429
Dominican Republic	Monte Cristi Prov.		28 Apr 1970	D. Burch 2445
Dominican Republic	Monte Cristi Prov.		28 Apr 1970	D. Burch 2457
Dominican Republic	Puerto Plata Prov.		24 Apr 1970	D. Burch 2342
Dominican Republic	Santiago Prov.		31 May 1970	J. de Js. Jiménez 5823
Dominican Republic	Santiago Prov.		28 Dec 1970	J. de Js. Jiménez 5865
Mexico	Nuevo León		14 Sep 1967	R. L. Oliver 1102
Mexico	Guerrero		10 Jan 1934	G. B. Hinton 5449
Mexico	Michoacán		30 Mar 1970	D. Burch 2007
Mexico	Michoacán		29 Mar 1970	D. Burch 1966
Mexico	Sinaloa		16 Oct 1970	G. L. Webster 15656
USA	Florida	Escambia Co.	24 Jun 2014	J. R. Burkhalter 24803
USA	Florida	Hillsborough Co.	09 Mar 2021	S. Dickman 1619
USA	Texas		22 May 1902	S. M. Tracy 7844
USA	New Mexico	Luna Co.	19 Sep 1973	R. K. Godfrey 72711
USA	Arizona	Cochise Co.	12 May 1995	C. vanHoek 441
USA	Texas	Brewster Co.	25 May 1986	R. P. Sauleda & D. K. Sauleda 9123
USA	Illinois	Monroe Co.	11 Oct 1998	S. R. Hill 31165
USA	Missouri		02 Sep 1901	J. H. Kellogg s.n.
USA	Kansas	Wallace Co.	17 Aug 1958	D. Demaree 40404

Listed Status: Florida

Listed Status:	(Florida):Source - Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. Chapter 5B-40, Florida Administrative Code. 1998, amended.
Endangered:	A species of plants native to the state that are in imminent danger of extinction within the state, the survival of which is unlikely if the causes of a decline in the number of plants continue, and includes all species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Threatened:	Listed as Threatened Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act. Defined as species of plants native to the state that are in rapid decline in the number of plants within the state, but which have not so decreased in such number as to cause them to be endangered.

Listed Status: US

Listed Status: US	(U.S.) Source - List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Endangered:	Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Threatened:	Any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

WAP: Wetland AssessmentProcedure

Wetland Assessment Procedure (WAP): Source - Southwest Florida Water Management District, Wetland Assessment Procedure Instruction Manual for Isolated Wetlands (March 2005).

AD:	Adaptive Species. Plant species designated as FAC or Upland by DEP, but commonly seen in the transition zone in limited numbers.
D:	Deep Species. Plant species commonly found in the deep zone, and designated either FAC or OBL by DEP.
OD:	Outer Deep Species. Plant species commonly found in the outer deep zone, and designated either FACW or OBL by DEP.
T:	Transition Species. Plant species commonly found in the transition zone, and designated either FACW or OBL by DEP.
U:	Upland Species. Plant species that are not expected to be seen in wetlands.

ANY - WAP critieria is not taken into consideration
Yes - Show results with WAP designations
No - Show results without WAP designations

FISC: Florida Invasive Species Council

FISC:

Source - Florida Invasive Species Council's 2017 List of Florida's Most Invasive Species

Category I - Species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused.

Category II - Species that have shown a potential to disrupt native plant communities. These species may become ranked as Category I, but have not yet demonstrated disruption of natural Florida communities.

DEP: Department of Environmental Protection

Wetland Status, Department of Environmental Regulation (DEP): Source - Delineation of the Landward Extent of Wetlands and Surface Waters, Chapter 62-340, Florida Administrative Code. 1994.

OBL:	Obligate wetland. Occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.
FACW:	Facultative Wetland. Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands
FAC:	Facultative. equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands.

NWPL: National Wetland Plant List

National Wetland Plant List (NWPL): Source - Lichvar, R.W., M. Butterwick, N.C. Melvin, and W.N. Kirchner. 2014. The National Wetland Plant List: 2014 Update of Wetland Ratings. Phytoneuron 2014-41: 1-42.

OBL:	Obligate Wetland. Occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in wetlands.
FACW:	Facultative Wetland. Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands.
FAC:	Facultative. Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (estimated probability 34%-66%).
FACU:	Facultative Upland. Usually occurs in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1%-33%).
UPL:	Obligate Upland. Occurs in wetlands in another region, but occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in non-wetlands in the regions specified.

Persisting

Identifying species that appear as waifs or only periodically appear in the flora for a few seasons.

Any - Persisting critieria is not taken into consideration
Yes - Show results with a Persisting value of Y
No - Show results without Persisting value of N

Duration

Annual:	Plants that perform their entire lifecycle within a single growing season. All roots, stems, and leaves die at the end of the growing season. Over wintering seeds allow the next generation to appear.
Biennial:	A plant that is typically vegetative its first year and blooms the following season. Once it has bloomed and set seed, the plant dies. Garlic mustard is an example of a biennial.
Perennial:	These plants live for three or more seasons. Many perennials may not be mature enough to bloom during its first year. Perennial wildflowers re-grow each season from overwinter root material.

Category

Vascular:	Any of various plants that have the vascular tissues xylem and phloem. The vascular plants include all seed-bearing plants (the gymnosperms and angiosperms) and the pteridophytes (including the ferns, lycophytes, and horsetails). Also called tracheophyte.
Bryophyte:	A large group of seedless green plants including the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Bryophytes lack the specialized tissues xylem and phloem that circulate water and dissolved nutrients in the vascular plants. Bryophytes generally live on land but are mostly found in moist environments, for they have free-swimming sperm that require water for transport. In contrast to the vascular plants, the gametophyte (haploid) generation of bryophytes constitutes the larger plant form, while the small sporophyte (diploid) generation grows on or within the gametophyte and depends upon it for nutrition.
Lichen:	The mutualistic symbiotic association of a fungus with an alga or a cyanobacterium, or both. The fungal component of a lichen absorbs water and nutrients from the surroundings and provides a suitable environment for the alga or cyanobacterium. These live protected among the dense fungal hyphae and produce carbohydrates for the fungus by photosynthesis. Owing to this partnership, lichens can thrive in harsh environments such as mountaintops and polar regions. The more familiar lichens grow slowly as crusty patches, but lichens are found in a variety of forms, such as the tall, plantlike reindeer moss. The association between the different organisms in a lichen is so close that lichens are routinely referred to as a single organism, and scientists classify lichens using the name of the fungal component.

(Definitions from: American Heritage Science Dictionary)

Growth Habit

Intro paragraph to be provided by New York.

Vine:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Shrub:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Tree:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.
Et cetera:	DESCRIPTION TO BE PROVIDED BY NEW YORK.

State Rank

This numeric rank provides the relative rarity for each species based on a scale from 1 (very rare) to 5 (common). These ranks carry no legal status.

S1 - Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state.
S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state.
S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state.
S4 - Apparently secure in the state.
S5 - Demonstrably secure in the state.
SE - State exotic or non-native.
SH - Historically known from the state, but not seen in the past 15 years.
SNA - Species for which a rank is not applicable. This is mainly those species which are now excluded from flora for various reasons.
SNR - Not yet ranked.
SX - Apparently extirpated from the state.

Global Rank

Each species' global rank is determined by NatureServe. These ranks carry no legal weight. The global rank reflects the species worldwide rarity.

G1 - Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences), or very few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or especially vulnerable to extinction because of some factor of its biology.
G2 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G3 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G4 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors.
G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
GH - Historically known, with the expectation that it might be rediscovered.
GNA - Species for which a rank is not applicable. NatureServe does not typically rank hybrid species.
GNR - Not yet ranked.
GX - Species believed to be extinct.

Filter by County - Counties to Include - ANY versus ALL

Any - An Any search will combine the list of counties to include with a Boolean Or. Plant species returned will be found within at least one of the selected counties.
All - An All search will combine the list of counties to include with a Boolean And. Plant species returned will be found within each of the selected counties.

Filter by County - Counties to Exclude - ANY versus ALL

Any - An Any search will combine the list of counties to exclude with a Boolean Or. Plant species returned will not be found within at least one of the selected counties.
All - An All search will combine the list of counties to exclude with a Boolean And. Plant species returned will not be found within any of the selected counties.

Associated Ecological Communities

View a List of All Ecological Communities

For more information, contact: Richard Wunderlin or Bruce Hansen, Alan Franck, or Karla Alvarado

Web Development: USF Water Institute

A member of the University of South Florida family of PlantAtlas.org websites

Citation Information:

Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2024. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

Search Help

Select the criterion by which you wish to search (Scientific name, Genus, Family, etc.) and enter that information into the provided field.

Hint: Correct spelling is necessary for desired results, but because this function is a string search the full name need not be entered. Any correct part of a taxon name can be entered and a choice of the correct one made from the small list of resulting matches.

For example, matching the full name exactly in a Scientific Name search for Piptochaetium avenacioides may be difficult, but strings of either tium aven or avenaci or m avenac or pipto will all result in very small lists of matches. The intended name can then be chosen from any of those lists. Usually, the last letter (or two) of a given genus, a space, and the first few correct letters of the specific epithet will provide a sufficiently short list containing the desired taxon.

A similar example in a Common Name search is Virginia snakeroot. Searching using "snake root" will yield no results due to the extra space, but searching "snake" will generate a short list of plants with the word "snake" in the common name. Furthermore, a search of "Virginia snake" or even "nia snak" yields one result: Virginia snakeroot.

If, after following the above advice, then difficulties are still encountered please use the "browse" feature.

Definition: Vouchered Specimen

A voucher specimen is a pressed and thoroughly dried plant sample deposited in a herbarium, and is intended to be a permanent record supporting research purposes. A voucher may be a record of a plant's occurrence in a particular area, or a specific example of a plant used in a scientific investigation.

Proper vouchers display all the necessary attributes for complete identification of the plant, and are to be accompanied by accurate locality, habitat, collection time, and collector data.

Only plant populations vouchered by specimens deposited in Index Herbariorum http://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/ih/ recognized herbaria are represented on this map.