Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), also known as Mountain Spurge, can be seen in one Florida county at Florida Caverns State Park. When blooming in the spring, the small inconspicuous flowers perfume the woods with a light sweet cinnamon fragrance. Following the scent may lead you to the easily overlooked low-growing plants. The distinctive coloration pattern on its leaves makes it easy to identify among the fallen tree leaves once spotted.
Allegheny Spurge has separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers, located above the female flowers, are more easily observed than the female flowers which are nearly on the ground. The genus name Pachysandra, formed from Pachys from thick and andros for male, refers to the thickened anthers of the male flowers.
