EUPHORBIA DIMORPHOCAULON

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

HELIOSCOPIA

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Tithymalus dimorphocaulon.

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

Dimorphocaulon (L) Double stalked.

General description:- Decumbent to erect, pubescent perennial with a

subterranean, napiform tuber 2-7 cm.

Stems:-

1) 5-20 cm, slender, scaly at base, with 0-1(-3) axillary rays.

Leaves:-

1) Linear-lanceolate to oblong or obovate cuneate, obtuse to subacute, serrulate.

2) Ray-leaves, like the cauline.

3) Raylet-leaves, suborbicular, cuneate.

Flowers:-

1) Umbel with 3-5 rays.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, c. 3 mm, with short, conical tubercles.

2) Seeds, c. 2 mm, smooth, dull, dark brown.

Key features:-

2) Inflorescence, always of several cyathia.

3) Plant with a large, subterranean, napiform tuber.

4) Stems, erect usually less than 20 cm.

3) Capsule, with elongated or hemispherical tubercles; seeds smooth or nearly so.

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Habitat:- Open dry shrubby vegetation, open coniferous woodland, occasionally in

coastal habitats. 0-600 (-1100) m.

Distribution:- Endemic Crete, S. Turkey & Cyprus. Widespread and common on

Crete.

Flowering time:- Sept-Nov.

Photo by:- Steve Lenton