Euphorbia decidua P.R.O. Bally & L.C. Leach

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Euphorbia decidua

Photo: Alistair Hull
Matusadona escarpment

Euphorbia decidua

Photo: Alistair Hull
Matusadona escarpment

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Spiny, succulent dwarf perennial with a large, c. 15-28 × 8 cm obovoid tuberous root with a long tap root below. Branches radiating from the stem apex, erect or prostrate, withering and deciduous in the dry season, 3-4-angled; angles with prominent tubercles. Spine shields to 3 mm in diameter, rounded; spines 1.5-4.5 mm long. Leaves 3 × 1 mm, lanceolate, fleshy, deciduous. Cymes appearing at stem apex after leaves have withered, numerous, erect. Cyathia with cup-shaped involucres; glands to 2 mm long, transversely oblong; lobes fimbriate. Capsule deeply lobed, exserted on a recurved pedicel.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: decidua: referring to the withering stems which are deciduous in the dry season.
Habitat: Miombo woodland
Altitude range: (metres) 900 - 1550 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: DRC, southern Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Zimbabwe distribution: N
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status: Endangered
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Friday 4 March 2016
Literature:

Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Pages 416 - 418. (Includes a picture).

Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 164.

Leach, L.C. (1975). Euphorbia species from the Flora Zambesiaca area: 11 Kirkia 10(1) Page 293.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 41.


Other sources of information about Euphorbia decidua:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Euphorbia decidua
Flora of Zambia: Euphorbia decidua

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Euphorbia decidua
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Euphorbia decidua
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Euphorbia decidua
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Euphorbia decidua
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Euphorbia decidua
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Euphorbia decidua
JSTOR Plant Science: Euphorbia decidua
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Euphorbia decidua
Plants of the World Online: Euphorbia decidua
Tropicos: Euphorbia decidua
Wikipedia: Euphorbia decidua


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Euphorbia decidua.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=135870, retrieved 28 March 2024

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