Nodding Spurge or Eyebane - Chamaesyce nutans
Nodding Spurge or Eyebane - Chamaesyce nutans - is a native plant that is a summer annual that becomes 3-18 inches tall; it is low and spreading, but not prostrate (flat against the ground). The stems are pinkish red, round, and hairless, except for a few fine hairs on new growth. The inflorescence consists of a small cyathium on a straight pedicel. Usually, several cyathia develop near the ends of each major stem when a plant is mature. A cyathium is a small cup-like structure containing the pistillate flower and one or more staminate flowers, which have neither true petals nor sepals. It is initially green, but often turns red in bright sunlight. On this particular species, the cyathium has 4 tiny petal-like appendages that are bright white. Eventually, a round tripartite fruit develops from the cyathium on a short stalk; it often turns red in bright sunlight as well. Found throughout the eastern U.S. Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, thickets, openings in upland woodlands, fields and pastures (whether abandoned or still in use), areas along roadsides and railroads, poorly maintained lawns and gardens, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed open areas and it is somewhat weedy. The tiny flowers occasionally attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and wasps. These insects seek nectar primarily. The seeds are consumed by the Mourning Dove and Greater Prairie Chicken, and to a lesser extent by the Bobwhite and Horned Lark. The Wild Turkey has been known to eat the foliage, developing buds, and fruits, apparently without ill effects. Mammalian herbivores rarely eat this plant because of the poisonous white latex in the stems and foliage. Native Americans rubbed the stem sap on their skin for itching and eczema and applied a poultice of crushed leaves to sores. The Nodding Spurge can be readily distinguished from other Chamaesyce spp. by its more erect habit, larger leaves, and mostly hairless stems. Horn and Cathcart, Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/nod_spurge.htm www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHNU9 www.kswildflower.org/flower_details.php?flowerID=441
Nodding Spurge or Eyebane - Chamaesyce nutans
Nodding Spurge or Eyebane - Chamaesyce nutans - is a native plant that is a summer annual that becomes 3-18 inches tall; it is low and spreading, but not prostrate (flat against the ground). The stems are pinkish red, round, and hairless, except for a few fine hairs on new growth. The inflorescence consists of a small cyathium on a straight pedicel. Usually, several cyathia develop near the ends of each major stem when a plant is mature. A cyathium is a small cup-like structure containing the pistillate flower and one or more staminate flowers, which have neither true petals nor sepals. It is initially green, but often turns red in bright sunlight. On this particular species, the cyathium has 4 tiny petal-like appendages that are bright white. Eventually, a round tripartite fruit develops from the cyathium on a short stalk; it often turns red in bright sunlight as well. Found throughout the eastern U.S. Habitats include dry upland areas of prairies, thickets, openings in upland woodlands, fields and pastures (whether abandoned or still in use), areas along roadsides and railroads, poorly maintained lawns and gardens, and miscellaneous waste areas. This plant prefers disturbed open areas and it is somewhat weedy. The tiny flowers occasionally attract small bees, Syrphid flies, and wasps. These insects seek nectar primarily. The seeds are consumed by the Mourning Dove and Greater Prairie Chicken, and to a lesser extent by the Bobwhite and Horned Lark. The Wild Turkey has been known to eat the foliage, developing buds, and fruits, apparently without ill effects. Mammalian herbivores rarely eat this plant because of the poisonous white latex in the stems and foliage. Native Americans rubbed the stem sap on their skin for itching and eczema and applied a poultice of crushed leaves to sores. The Nodding Spurge can be readily distinguished from other Chamaesyce spp. by its more erect habit, larger leaves, and mostly hairless stems. Horn and Cathcart, Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/nod_spurge.htm www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHNU9 www.kswildflower.org/flower_details.php?flowerID=441