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

All images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View selected images

Euphorbia decidua

Picture: Alistair Hull
Matusadona escarpment

Euphorbia decidua

Picture: Alistair Hull
Matusadona escarpment

Specimen citations: Display citations Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

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.
Type location:
Zambia, Mweru Wantipa
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: decidua: referring to the withering stems which are deciduous in the dry season.
Habitat: Miombo woodland
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: DRC, southern Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): N,W,C
Zambian distribution (Provinces): Cb,N,C
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status: Data deficient
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Content 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 Zimbabwe: 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: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-24

Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A. (2024). Flora of Zambia: Species information: Euphorbia decidua.
https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=135870, retrieved 20 April 2024

Site software last modified: 10 May 2018 10:51pm
Terms of use