EUPHORBIA HERNIARIIFOLIA

Family and Genus:- See- EUPHORBIACEAE/Subgen. ESULA/Sect. PARALIAS

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Tithymalus herniariifolius

Meaning:- Euphorbia (L) For Euphorbus, physician to the King of Mauritania.

Herniariifolia (L) With leaves similar to Rupture-wort (Herniaria).

General description:- Glabrous or tomentose, somewhat glaucous perennial.

Stems:-

1) Up to 20 cm, numerous procumbent to ascending, forming dense mats,

much-branched but with no axillary rays.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, 0·4-10 X 0·4-5 cm, orbicular to obovate-elliptical, subacute or obtuse,

entire; petiole up to 1·5 mm.

2) Ray- and raylet-leaves, very like the cauline.

Flowers:-

1) Rays, 2-3, not or once dichotomous, occasionally proliferating.

2) Glands, with 2 horns.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 3 x 3·5 mm, shallowly sulcate, smooth, with 2 wings on each keel,

glabrous or tomentose.

2) Seeds, 2 mm, cylindrical, irregularly and shallowly pitted, pale grey.

Key features:-

1) Capsule, winged.

2) Seeds, smooth, rugulose, tuberculate or indistinctly pitted.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rock crevices, rocky slopes and screes, especially on limestone,

occasionally other substrates. (700-)1000-2200.

Distribution:- Limited distribution throughout the Mediterranean. Limited

distribution on Crete. Restricted to the massifs at over 1400m.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981