Euphorbia and Leptochloa, Jamaica

June 2017. A member in Jamaica asked for the id of these weeds.

Barbara Waterhouse wrote the following: “The small prostrate herb (Species A) looks like a species of Euphorbia(sometimes placed in Chamaesyce). Without seeing close-up high resolution images of the fruiting capsules it isn’t possible to identify it to species with any certainty, but it is likely to be either Euphorbia prostrataor Euphorbia thymifolia. These species have a pan-tropical distribution, but I think they are regarded as native in the Americas.

“The grass (Species B) looks as though it is a species of Leptochloa, but it isn’t possible for me to suggest which one without examining a specimen. The genus Leptochloa contains several important weeds of agriculture. The best way for Aldaine to obtain verified IDs would be to collect specimens for identification at the nearest Herbarium”.