Euphorbia albomarginata

 Euphorbia albomarginata (rattlesnake weed) ( )

Euphorbiaceae

• Our C₄ herbaceous desert flora contains 16 native species of spurge (Euphorbia). These prostrate or low growing annuals and herbaceous perennials that flower almost any month of the year. Most have broad ranges, extending well outside of our desert region with several non-native species also widely naturalized. One of the distinctive features of the spurges is the milky sap contained in their stems. What appears to be a single flower in spurges is instead a cup-like structure called a cyathium that holds a central female flower surrounded by several male flowers. The structures that look like petals are extensions of the cyathium. Rattlesnake weed is a widespread, prostrate perennial whose common name arises from its use to treat rattlesnake bites. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."