Identification and Distribution of the Weedy Spurges in the Delta of Mississippi

The weedy spurges found in the Delta region of Mississippi, U.S.A., include spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata L. # EPHMA), nodding spurge (Euphorbia nutans Lag. # EPHNU), prostrate spurge (Euphorbia humistrata Engelm. ex Gray # EPHHT), creeping spurge (Euphorbia serpens H.B.K. # EPHSN), and hyssop spurge (Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. # EPHHS). Nodding spurge was the most common while creeping spurge was the least common. Hyssop spurge, not previously known to be in Mississippi, was found in six of the 17 counties in the Delta of Mississippi. Hyssop spurge occurs with, and had previously been confused with, nodding spurge. Diagnostic characters, special identification features, and illustrations are provided to aid in identification of these five species of weedy spurges, which occur widely in the U.S.