What is a defining feature of prostrate spurge?

Study for the Pennsylvania State Extension Cool-Season Turfgrass Pest Management Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions featuring hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

A defining feature of prostrate spurge is its ability to produce a white milky substance when the stems or leaves are cut. This characteristic latex is a distinguishing trait of the plant, serving as a defense mechanism against herbivores and indicating its belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family.

This milky sap can be an important factor in plant identification and management practices. Knowledge of this feature can aid in recognizing prostrate spurge in various environments, as well as in differentiating it from other similar-looking plants.

While options that mention large white flowers and thick fleshy leaves do describe some plants, they do not specifically pertain to prostrate spurge. Similarly, blue or purple trumpet-shaped flowers do not relate to this species, making the presence of a white milky substance the most accurate and defining feature.

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