Euphorbia albomarginata – “White Margin Sand Mat”

Also Known As: Rattlesnake Weed
Other Botanical Names: Chamaesyce albomarginata
Family: Spurge (Euphorbiaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Nov
Form: Perennial herb forming a mat
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils and in human-disturbed areas
Leaves: Round to oblong; opposite
Translation: “Euphorbia” is named for Euphorbus, personal physician to Juba II (52/50 BC – AD 23), King of Numidia; “albomarginata” is Latin for “white margin,” which describes what looks like the flower’s petals, but which are actually bracts. The old genus name, “Chamaesyce,” was a decent descriptor, being Greek for “creeping fig.”
Notes: As is typical of the Spurge Family, the milky sap contains poisonous alkaloids that induce vomiting in humans. European settlers used the plant to treat rattlesnake bites. Modern studies have failed to prove its efficacy.
Native American Uses: Medicinally, Native Americans used the sap topically and in a tea for treating rattlesnake bites. The Kumeyaay washed sores with a decoction of the plant, the Western Keres rubbed the crushed plant on sore eyes, the Ramah drank a tea of it for stomachache and used a poultice of it as a hemostat, and the Shoshone consumed a tea of it as a tonic. The Zuni and the Western Keres both took it as a “galactagogue,” that is, to promote milk flow in nursing women.
Animal Associations: Food plant for the Desert Iguana and Desert Woodrat. Host plant for Straight-lined Wave moth.