Euphorbia stygiana

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Euphorbia stygiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. stygiana
Binomial name
Euphorbia stygiana
H.C.Watson
Synonyms[1]
  • Tithymalus stygianus (H.C.Watson) Soják

Euphorbia stygiana (

critically endangered subspecies
(subsp. santamariae) with only 20 known remaining mature individuals in the wild.

Description

Euphorbia stygiana is an evergreen shrub with low but robust serpentine, green stems; white-veined, thick, leathery blue-dark green leaves and large yellow-green flower heads which are strongly honey-scented in spring and summer (from May to June). It can grow up to about 10 metres (33 ft) tall in its native environment but is often 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) tall and spreads to about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) wide.[2][3][4]

The leaves are 7–14 by 1.5–3.5 centimetres (2.76 in–5.51 in × 0.59 in–1.38 in) long, slightly

pubescent on the bottom side. The fruits are 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in), striated, subglobous and warty.[5] During cold winters (especially outside its native range) these leaves may turn to a brilliant crimson colour.[6]

It is hardy down to USDA Zone 8b: to −9.4 °C (15.1 °F) and can be propagated through stem cuttings.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Euphorbia stygiana is endemic to all

laurel-Juniperus forests.[5][7][8]

Subspecies

Specimen at the Frankfurt Botanical Garden

There are two known subspecies:

  • subsp. santamariae – a
    extrafloral nectaries.[10]

Threats

The species is mainly threatened by agricultural development, change in land use, and invasive species and the subsequent increase in competition.[12]

Toxicity

Like other members of the

toxic if eaten.[2]

Gallery

  • Specimen in the National Botanical Conservatory of Brest, France
    Specimen in the National Botanical Conservatory of Brest, France
  • Closeup of fruit
    Closeup of fruit

References

  1. ^ "Species Details : Euphorbia stygiana H.C.Watson". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Euphorbia stygiana". turn-it-tropical.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Euphorbia stygiana". panglobalplants.com. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Euphorbia Species: Euphorbia stygiana". davesgarden.com. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Euphorbia stygiana Watson". Natura 2000 Azores. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Euphorbia stygiana". rightplants4me.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Euphorbia stygiana H.C.Watson". Flora-on. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Euphorbia stygiana Watson (EUPHORBIACEAE) - Trovisco-macho". siaram.azores.gov.pt. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Euphorbia stygiana subsp. santamariae H.Schaef". Flora-on. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  10. ^ "O trovisco-macho mais raro da Europa". Paulo V. Araújo, Maria P. Carvalho. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Euphorbia stygiana". Flora-on. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  12. IUCN
    . Retrieved 1 December 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Euphorbia stygiana.
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