Rattlesnake Weed
Euphorbia or Chamaesyce albomarginata, Spurge Family: ( Euphorbiaceae ), Rattlesnake Weed. Also called: Whitemargin Spurge .
A low growing herbaceous perennial weed.
Height: A low creeper, with branches about 1/2" high, and stems 2 - 10"long.
Flowers: The showy parts are only 3 mm wide and are not flowers. Each is an involucre (cyanthium) holding a tiny group of one female and 15-30 male flowers.
The top of a cup-shaped cyanthium has four reddish glands with white appendages. Each male flower is a single naked stamen that remains inside the cyanthium.
A single female flower is exerted from each cyanthium on an elongated pedicel. The female flower is a naked, green ovary with three bifid styles..
Blooming Time: Late February - November.
Leaves: Leaves are 1/8 - 3/8" long, round or oblong, the stalks of the 2 leaves are on opposite sides of stem and they are connected by a single white scale on either side.
Found: Found throughout lower elevations in Arizona.
Elevation: 0 - 2500 Feet.
Habitat: Open area, disturbed land.
Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken March 29, 2003. Glendale.
