Dwarf Spurge
Euphorbia exigua
Euphorbia exigua, dwarf spurge or small spurge, is a species of Euphorbia in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to Europe, northern Africa and the Near East, and invasive worldwide.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Cordula Bernert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cordula Bernert
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Dwarf Spurge belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, order Malpighiales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Euphorbia exigua, dwarf spurge or small spurge, is a species of Euphorbia in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to Europe, northern Africa and the Near East, and invasive worldwide.
Dwarf Spurge faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat conversion, which has reduced suitable arable and disturbed ground habitats across its range. Modern farming practices, including increased herbicide use and changes in crop rotation patterns, have particularly impacted this small annual species that depends on traditional agricultural systems.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dwarf Spurge occupies arable fields, cultivated ground, gardens, waste places, and disturbed sandy or chalky soils, typically in open sunny locations. This small annual herb thrives in nutrient-poor, well-drained soils and is often associated with traditional extensive farming systems and field margins.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and herbicide use
Habitat loss from land use conversion
Changes in traditional farming practices
Climate change affecting suitable habitat
Competition from invasive plant species
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dwarf Spurge (Euphorbia exigua). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dwarf-spurge