Euphorbia aphylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is native to the Canary Islands.[2] It was first described in 1809.[3]

Euphorbia aphylla
In habitat, Teno, Tenerife
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. aphylla
Binomial name
Euphorbia aphylla
Synonyms[2]
  • Tirucalia aphylla (Brouss. ex Willd.) P.V.Heath
  • Tithymalus aphyllus (Brouss. ex Willd.) Klotzsch & Garcke

Description

edit

Euphorbia aphylla is a short shrub growing up to about 50 cm (20 in). It has slender leafless stems. The virtually stemless flowers are produced in small clusters at the end of the stems. Very small light brown or reddish fruits enclose small brown seeds.[4]

Distribution and habitat

edit

Euphorbia aphylla is native to the Canary Islands. It is found on the north coast of Gran Canaria, being locally frequent near the sea. In Tenerife, it is also coastal, occurring in the north west and the south of the island. It also occurs in La Gomera. It is a halophyte, found on coastal rocks and slopes facing the sea at elevations up to 150 m (490 ft).[3][4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  2. ^ a b c "Euphorbia aphylla Brouss. ex Willd.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2018-01-26
  3. ^ a b "Euphorbia aphylla", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2018-01-26
  4. ^ a b Bramwell, David & Bramwell, Zoë (2001), Wild Flowers of the Canary Islands (2nd ed.), Madrid: Editorial Rueda, p. 211, ISBN 978-84-7207-129-2