Nodding Spurge

Vegetative plant.  Key characteristics: upright growth habit with opposite leaves.   Often, the leaves will contain a single purple spot.  Stems are reddish-brown and contain a milky sap.

Flowering plant.  Flowers occur in the leaf axils of the upper leaves.

Seed.  Seed are 3-sided; two of the sides divided by a distinct ridge.  Color is grayish-brown and the length is slightly greater than 1.0 mm.

Life cycle: summer annual.

Toxic Plant: any animal consuming spurge or coming in contact with the sap may be affected.  Although spurges are not considered to be palatable, all parts of the plant are toxic.  Symptoms of poisoning include irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, dermal and eye irritation, lack of performance and weakness.