What are those plants that grow in the cracks of sidewalks and paving?
They have very small leaves, they're flat to the ground, and they grow
radially, like sea-fans - I've seen them as large as a dinner plate.
Can they be grown for display? How best to do so?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 23 Sep 2005 13:24 PDT

Does this look like the plant?

http://www8.epochtimes.com/i6/5032945101198.jpg

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Clarification of Question by bob_b_1999-ga on 23 Sep 2005 13:35 PDT

The image posted by pinkfreud-ga is not the plant I'm asking about,
which has tiny, "mouse-ear" leaves growing from a meandering stem. The
leaves are not at all fleshy or succulent.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Sep 2005 13:53 PDT

Does it look like this?  If so, it's not a plant but a weed.  

http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf34479aj.jpg

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:00 PDT

If that's it - it's called a spurge

Here's more
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7445.html

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Clarification of Question by bob_b_1999-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:02 PDT

Yes, I think that's it! (Though the image isn't the most detailed, so
I can't tell for sure.) And "weed" or not, I find it interesting, and
I'd like to try growing it in a fissured rock.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:18 PDT

Hi bob_b_1999,

Thank you for your clarification.  

You want some?  I got some!  :)  They grow like weeds (no pun
intended)and I'm currently working up the stamina to go tackle my
desert landscaped granite yard that has these growing everywhere.  :)

Due to all the rain we had this summer, they've been growing profusely
- although generally we don't see them until winter in the desert.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Clarification of Question by bob_b_1999-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:24 PDT

tlspiegel:  I can see why out your way they're weeds. I'm in NY, and
they're plentiful on the streets, but I haven't seen them in my
garden. I guess I'll try collecting some seed...

Thanks, and I believe you've now officially answered my question and
have rights to claim the fee (this is my first posted question, so I'm
not sure how things work).

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 23 Sep 2005 14:24 PDT

OOOOOoopss... My bad!  Misidentification here. 

What I have is called creeping surge, because there is no coloration
other than dark green.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C/W-EU-CSER-MP.002.html
Creeping spurge, Chamaesyce serpens. 



http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/E/W-EU-EMAC-MP.002.html

Spotted spurge is a low-growing summer annual plant that often forms a
dense mat. The oval seed leaves are bluish green, powdery, or mealy on
the upper surface and have a reddish tinge underneath. Leaves on
mature plants grow oppositely on short stalks. Unlike creeping spurge,
C. serpens

Hi bob_b_1999-ga,

Thank you for asking me to post in the answer box.  

The plant (weed) you are describing is a spurge.  Either it's a
spotted spurge or a creeping spurge.

I took a better look at them growing in my front yard and it appears I
have a variety of both.

Here are photos of spotted spurge:

http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf34479aj.jpg
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7445.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/E/W-EU-EMAC-MP.002.html


And here is a photo of creeping spurge:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C/W-EU-CSER-MP.002.html

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search:

First I called a nursery and described what is growing in my yard. The
person identified it as a variety of spurge.  I then searched Google
for spurges until I located photos of what was growing in my yard.  :)

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Best regards,
tlspiegel

spurge is only one plant, but there are a lot of great plants that
grow in the cracks of sidewalk blocks - like many varieties of moss
(most grow irish moss) Thyme (also lots of varieties) is another, my
favorite because when you walk on it it releaes a great smell.