Taxon Report

Euphorbia platysperma Engelm.

flat-seeded spurge

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Euphorbia platysperma, commonly known as flat-seeded spurge, is a annual herb in the Euphorbiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Desert dunes, and Sonoran desert scrub (sandy), growing at elevations from 65 to 100 meters. Euphorbia platysperma is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Euphorbia platysperma Engelm.
Common Name:	flat-seeded spurge
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Element Code:	PDEUP0D1X0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Chamaesyce platysperma (Engelm.) Shinners

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Feb-Sep	Feb-Sep
Elevation:	65-100 (215-330)
General Habitats:	Desert dunes, Sonoran desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G3
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	3
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Imperial (IMP), Riverside (RIV), San Bernardino (SBD)?
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cathedral City (3311674), Myoma (3311673), Old Woman Springs (3411646)?, Superstition Mtn. (3211587)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes



See Geological Survey of California, Botany 2:482-483 (1880) for original description, Desert Plants 2(2):104-105 (1980) for species account, and Taxon 55:397-420 (2006) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 October 2025].