Home | > | List of families | > | Euphorbiaceae | > | Euphorbia | > | malevola |
Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Succulent shrub up to 1.5 m high, much-branched from the base. Branches slender, c. 1 cm in diameter, 4(5)-angled; greyish-green with dark purple mottling along the angles; tubercles on the angles set at 8-15 mm intervals. Spines needle-like, 5-7 mm long, spreading; spine shields separated, decurrent along the margins of the angles, rarely forming a continuous margin; each shield crowned with a second pair of prickles, c. 2 mm above the spines. Minute leaves ovate, c 1.5 mm long, falling very early. Cyathia c. 3 × 5.5 mm with funnel-shaped involucres, brownish-yellow with a purplish-red margin. Fruit sessile, subglobose, c 3.5 × 4 cm, dull green with purple markings. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | In open deciduous woodland, often on granite outcrops |
Altitude range: (metres) | 390 - 1300 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | Shrub over 2 m, shrub under 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | Lower Risk - least concern |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 1 February 2015 |
Literature: |
Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Pages 121 - 122. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 26. As Euphorbia malevola malevola Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 173. as subsp. malevola 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. |
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