Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila, commonly known as desert spurge,[1] is a subspecies of herb or shrub native to Australia.
Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Euphorbia |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | E. t. subsp. eremophila
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Trinomial name | |
Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila |
Description
editIt grows as an erect shrub, usually up to a metre in height, but sometimes up to 1.5 metres, with green or yellow flowers. From a distance it may appear leafless.[1][2]
Taxonomy
editThis taxon was first published by Allan Cunningham in 1848, at species rank as Euphorbia eremophila. In 1977 David Hassall demoted it to a variety of E. tannensis. At the same time he did the same thing for E. finlaysonii, and since he felt these two to be more closely related to each other than either is to the type material of E. tannensis, he erected E. tannensis subsp. eremophila to hold both varieties. Thus this subspecies comprises two varieties: E. tannensis var. eremophila and E. tannensis var. finlaysonii.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThis subspecies is widespread on the Australian mainland, occurring in every mainland state, though only in the far north-west corner of Victoria.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila (A.Cunn.) D.C.Hassall". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c Hassall, David (1977). "The genus Euphorbia in Australia". Australian Journal of Botany. 25 (4): 429–453. doi:10.1071/BT9770429. hdl:2027.42/147178.