Chamaesyce serpens — a medium houseplant, prefers full sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Chamaesyce serpens

Chamaesyce Serpens

Updated · 60 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Chamaesyce serpens, commonly known as snake spurge or creeping spurge, is a low-growing perennial plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to North America, it thrives in diverse habitats such as fields, meadows, and disturbed areas.

This plant exhibits a prostrate growth habit, with stems extending up to 30 cm in length. Its small, oval-shaped leaves are bright green, while its flowers are small and inconspicuous, with a greenish-yellow hue.

Chamaesyce serpens is notable for its medicinal properties. It contains compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, making it useful for treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

In addition to its medicinal uses, this plant also has ecological importance. It serves as a food source for various insects, including bees and butterflies.

Overall, Chamaesyce serpens is a fascinating plant species with both medicinal value and ecological significance in its native habitat.

A note from PlantMom

Matted Sandmat is fairly resistant to disease and generally does not suffer from them. Nonetheless, it can be vulnerable to pests and diseases present in its environment, although these outbreaks are typically mild. For care, this plant requires a moderate level of maintenance. It should be pruned regularly to preserve a neat appearance and support healthy growth. Fertilizing can also aid in encouraging flowering. Matted Sandmat is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or patio, and does not demand extensive care experience. It may need more attention when grown indoors.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Chamaesyce Serpens.

Light

Matted Sandmat is a sun-loving plant that flourishes in places with abundant light, consistent with its origin in open, exposed habitats. If it is deprived of adequate light, its growth may be stunted and its health affected. On the other hand, too much light is not harmful, because Matted Sandmat is exceptionally resilient.

Temperature

Matted Sandmat thrives in its native habitat where temperatures range from 68 to 105.8 °F (20 to 41 ℃). It favors warmer climates and adapts well across different seasons. Depending on your geographic location, you may need to make adjustments to reproduce these conditions.

Fertilizer

Matted Sandmat benefits from regular, light applications of fertilizer to encourage healthy leaf growth. You should feed Matted Sandmat roughly once a month during the summer months. Nitrogen is important for foliage, and providing nitrogen-rich sources helps Matted Sandmat prosper.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual
Genus
Chamaesyce
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Hardiness Zone
6-13
Mature Height
15 cm to 49 cm
Mature Spread
61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
White, Green, Red
Flower Size
0.13 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Summer
Native Area
Colombia, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Jamaica
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Matted sandmat en Serpent spurge en Creeping spurge en Roundleaf spurge
PLATES
Chamaesyce serpens leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Chamaesyce serpens leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Chamaesyce serpens flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Chamaesyce serpens flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Chamaesyce serpens fruit
PLATE 05 · fruit
Chamaesyce serpens fruit
PLATE 06 · fruit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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