Tetracoccus dioicus, known by the common names red shrubby-spurge and Parry's tetracoccus, is a species of flowering plant.[1][2]

Tetracoccus dioicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Picrodendraceae
Genus: Tetracoccus
Species:
T. dioicus
Binomial name
Tetracoccus dioicus

Distribution edit

The shrub native to the states of southwestern California and Baja California (México). In Southern California, populations are within Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County.[1]

It grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), in the South Coast region and Peninsular Ranges.[1][3]

Description edit

Tetracoccus dioicus is an erect shrub reaching about 2 metres (6.6 ft). It has gray-barked branches that are bright red when young.[3]

The stiff, leathery, yellowish-green leaves are opposite or clustered, often in threes, and they may be rolled lengthwise.[3]

The shrub bears staminate and pistillate flowers with red-yellow structures.[3] The bloom period is April and May.[1]

It produces distinctive four-lobed fruits which ripen to a bright red color.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Calflora: Tetracoccus dioicus
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Tetracoccus dioicus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Jepson eFlora: Tetracoccus dioicus

External links edit