Home | > | List of families | > | Euphorbiaceae | > | Euphorbia | > | hirta |
Synonyms: |
Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. Euphorbia pilulifera sensu Boiss. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Introduced |
Description: |
Prostrate or ascending annual herb with branches up to 50 cm. A parts of the plant covered in short appressed hairs, interspersed with longer spreading hairs. Leaves ovate, 1-4 cm, often blotched with purple, particularly in the centre; margin finely toothed. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, spherical, 10-15 mm in diameter. Flowers unisexual, whitish, tinged with purple. |
Notes: | One of the omnipresent, widespread and common weeds but see E. ophthalmica for comparison. |
Derivation of specific name: | hirta: hairy. |
Habitat: | A weed of roadsides, cultivation and disturbed areas. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1550 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Native to tropical and subtropical America, now a pantropical weed. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | Achaea catella (Larval food plant) |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 22 April 2007 |
Literature: |
Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 70 - 71. (Includes a picture). Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Pages 345 - 346. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 56. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 126. (Includes a picture). 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. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 48. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 56. as Chamaesyce hirta Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 207. Vernon, R. (1983). Field Guide to Important Arable Weeds of Zambia Dept. of Agriculture, Chilanga, Zambia Pages 44 - 45. (Includes a picture). Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 46. (Includes a picture). |
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