Euphorbia persistentifolia
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Photo: Karl van Laeren
Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Photo: Karl van Laeren
Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Photo: Karl van Laeren
Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Photo: Karl van Laeren
Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
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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: |
Stout succulent spiny shrub to 2 m or small tree to 3.5 m high.Branches whorled, spreading-ascending, rebranching, acutely 4–5-angled, 2–5 cm in diameter, constricted into segments to 40 cm long; angles sinuate, with tubercles 1–2 cm apart along the margins.Spine shields joined in a whitish horny margin 0.5–2 mm wide; spines 3–7(15) mm long, diverging; prickles minute.Leaves c. 6–10 × 1.6–2.5 cm, narrowly obovate, subsessile, persistent for several months.Cymes solitary, 1–2-forked, peduncle and cyme branches c. 3 mm long; bracts c. 3 mm long, ovate.Cyathia with involucres 3.5–4 × 5–6 mm, funnel-shaped; glands 2–3 mm wide, transversely elliptic, greenish-yellow; lobes c. 2.25 mm long, broadly elliptic, fimbriate.Male flowers 20–25(45): bracteoles c. 3 mm long, fimbriate; pedicels and filaments each c. 2.5 mm long.Female flower: perianth 3-lobed, c. 2 mm in diameter; styles c. 2.5 mm long, spreading, recurved with bifid apices.Capsule to 4 × 7 mm, obtusely lobed, subtruncate, exserted on a recurved pedicel c. 7 mm long.Seeds c. 2.5 × 2 mm, subglobose, smooth, pale brown with irregular blotches. From FZ, Vol 9, Part 5, (2001) Author: S. Carter & L.C. Leach |
| Type location: |
Zambia, Chirundu |
| Notes: | A variable species in habit, leaf size and capsule shape |
| Derivation of specific name: | persistentifolia: with leaves persisting for several months. |
| Habitat: | Escarpment Brachystegia woodland, on rocky slopes |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 610 - 1200 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | This species occurs mainly along the Zambezi Valley and its Escarpments from below the Victoria Falls to the Mavuradonha Mts, i.e. Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
| FZ divisions: | S |
| Zambian distribution (Provinces): | Lk,S |
| Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub under 2 m. |
| Endemic status: | Near Endemic |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Wednesday 29 April 2026 |
| Literature: |
Carter, S. & Leach, L.C. (2001). Euphorbiaceae: subfamily Euphorbioideae: tribe Euphorbieae Flora Zambesiaca 9(5) Page 410. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 253. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 173. |
Other sources of information about Euphorbia persistentifolia:
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Flora of Zimbabwe: Euphorbia persistentifoliaExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Euphorbia persistentifoliaAfrican Plant Database: Euphorbia persistentifolia
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Euphorbia persistentifolia
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Euphorbia persistentifolia
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Euphorbia persistentifolia
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Euphorbia persistentifolia
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Euphorbia persistentifolia
JSTOR Plant Science: Euphorbia persistentifolia
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Euphorbia persistentifolia
Plants of the World Online: Euphorbia persistentifolia
Tropicos: Euphorbia persistentifolia
Wikipedia: Euphorbia persistentifolia