Euphorbia crenulata is a species of spurge native to the western United States, especially California and Oregon. Its common name is beetle spurge.[1] It blooms between May and August.[2]

Euphorbia crenulata

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. crenulata
Binomial name
Euphorbia crenulata

Description edit

Its leaves vary in shape and size but they often curve up and come together to form a bowl shape. The small fruits are green, fleshy, and lobed. The flower has two distinct horns.

Phylogeny and Taxonomy edit

According to the Catalogue of Life, there are 2,129 accepted species within Euphorbia.[3] E. crenulata belongs to Euphorbia sect. Tithymalus along with 31 other species, including the petty spurge (E. peplus).[4] E. crenulata closely resembles the European E. peplus. They differ only in seed pitting characteristics and lower leaf petioles.[5]

Euphorbia sect. Tithymalus
Phylogeny of Euphorbia sect. Tithymalus based on a 2014 review of plastid DNA sequences.[6]

(9 species) 

Esuliformis Clade

(7 species)

Brachycera Clade

(3 species)

Southern Annual Clade
 

E. austrotexana — south Texas spurge (south Texas plains) 

E. longicruris — wedgeleaf spurge (Edwards Plateau, north-central Texas, and eastern part of Plains Country of Texas; Oklahoma & Mexico)[7]

E. roemeriana — Roemer's spurge (endemic to Eastern part of the Edwards Plateau of Texas)[8]

E. ouachitana — Ouachita spurge (Ouachita and Ozark mountains in eastern North America)

E. tetrapora — weak spurge (S. Oklahoma to Central Louisiana)

E. commutata — tinted woodland spurge (eastern North America)

E. crenulata beetle spurge (S. Oregon to California, SW. Colorado to NW. New Mexico)[3]

Northern Annual Clade

E. peplus — petty spurge (Europe, northern Africa, western Asia)

E. herniariifolia (Mediterranean)[9] 

E. isaurica (southern Türkiye)[10]

Old World Tithymalus


References edit

  1. ^ a b NatureServe (2024). "Euphorbia crenulata". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  2. ^ "Euphorbia crenulata". Calflora. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  3. ^ a b "Euphorbia crenulata Engelm". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  4. ^ "Euphorbia sect. Tithymalus". Open Tree of Life. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  5. ^ "Euphorbia crenulata". OregonFlora. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  6. ^ Peirson; Riina; Mayfield; Ferguson; Urbatsch; Berry (2014-03-23). "Phylogenetics and taxonomy of the New World leafy spurges, Euphorbia section Tithymalus (Euphorbiaceae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 175 (2): 191–228. doi:10.1111/boj.12167.
  7. ^ "Euphorbia longicruris". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  8. ^ "Euphorbia roemeriana". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  9. ^ "Euphorbia herniariifolia". Cretan Flora. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  10. ^ "Euphorbia isaurica". Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-05-05.

External links edit