Thymeleaf Sandmat (subsp. serpyllifolia) Chamaesyce serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia subspecies
Thymeleaf Sandmat (subsp. serpyllifolia) is an annual wildflower native to Canada and the lower 48 states. A host for pollen-specialist native bees.
More about this plant
Euphorbia serpyllifolia is a species of euphorb known by the common names thymeleaf sandmat or thyme-leafed spurge. It is native to a large part of North America from Canada to Mexico, where it is a common member of the flora in many types of habitat. This is an annual herb growing as a prostrate mat or taking a somewhat erect form. The oblong leaves are up to about 1.5 centimeters long, sometimes hairy and finely toothed along the edges. The tiny inflorescence is a cyathium about a millimeter wide. It bears scalloped white petal-like appendages arranged around the actual flowers. At the center are several male flowers and one female flower, which develops into a lobed, oval fruit up to 2 millimeters wide. This plant had a number of traditional medicinal uses for many Native American groups. Wikipedia →
Growing & care
USDA PLANTS · TRY- Hardiness
- ≥ zone 4 derived from its U.S. range
- Lifespan
- Annual
Wildlife & pollinators
How pollinator value is scored →✦ Bees specialist-bee host
Specialist native bees depend on it.
Some native bees are pollen specialists (oligolectic) — they raise young only on pollen from particular plant genera. Chamaesyce is a recorded specialist-bee host, so losing it can mean losing the bee that relies on it.
Sources for this entry (8) Open & cited
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