Euphorbia rhombifolia

Euphorbia rhombifolia is a species of flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae family.[1] It is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it is widespread in clay-rich soils, extending as far east as Kwazulu-Natal.[2]

Euphorbia rhombifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. rhombifolia
Binomial name
Euphorbia rhombifolia
Synonyms[1]

Description
Euphorbia rhombifolia in cultivation

It grows to 60 or 70 cm in height, with a tuberous root-system that is often eaten by porcupines, and with thin (3-5mm), erect, grey, branching stems. The branches are dichotomous and taper to soft points.

The plants in the south-western Cape (E. caterviflora) are smaller, reaching only 30 cm in height.

The leaves are small (1-3mm), dark, triangular and deciduous. The flowerheads are also small (3mm) and appear from winter into spring. [3]

This species is part of a group of closely related "stick euphorbias" including Euphorbia burmannii and Euphorbia tenax, which are widespread across southern Africa.[4]

References
  1. "Euphorbia rhombifolia Boiss". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  2. http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=574-311
  3. Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. (2010) Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
  4. Bruyns, P.V. (2012). Nomenclature and typification of southern African species of Euphorbia. Bothalia 42(2): 217-245.


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