Euphorbia polycarpa – “Sand Mat”

Also Known As: Smallseed Sandmat, Small-Seeded Spurge
Other Botanical Names: Chamaesyce polycarpa
Family: Spurge (Euphorbiaceae)
Bloom Period: year-round
Form: Perennial herb forming a mat
Habitat: Sandy and gravelly soils
Leaves: Round to ovate; opposite
Translation: “Euphorbia” is named for Euphorbus, personal physician to Juba II (52/50 BC – AD 23), King of Numidia; “polycarpa” is Greek for “many fruits (or seeds),” because this plant produced a high number of seeds. 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: Native Americans, including the Luiseño and Pima, used this plant to treat rattlesnake bites. The Pima also used it to induce vomiting for constipation and stomach problems. The Shoshone used an infusion of the plant as an eyewash and as a general tonic. The Zuni made a gruel from it with white cornmeal and took it as a “galactagogue,” that is, to promote milk flow in nursing women.
Animal Associations: The Desert Iguana eats this plant but is unaffected by the poison, which just goes to show that you can’t extrapolate between species.