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Euphorbia (Euphorbia larica)
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Find out here.Euphorbia fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Euphorbia description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Euphorbiales |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus | Euphorbia (1) |
Although cactus-like in appearance, Euphorbia larica is a actually a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, one of the largest plant groups in the world, comprising around 300 genera and some 7,500 species (2) (3). Often referred to as ‘spurges’, these plants are best known for their unusually simple, highly-reduced flower structure, which is most apparent on plants in the Euphorbia genus (2). The tiny flowers are aggregated into a specialised inflorescence, called a ‘cyanthium’, which comprises a single female flower surrounded by stamen-bearing male flowers, all of which are encased in a cup-like structure of bracts such that the whole arrangement looks like a single flower (3) (4). This unique structure is present in every Euphorbia plant, but no where else in the entire plant kingdom (5). These succulent plants also exude a milky, often toxic latex when cut, and they also have reduced leaves (2). Euphorbia larica has pencil-like stems and produces a dry capsule that splits explosively when ripe (2) (5).
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Euphorbia biology
In many Euphorbia species, the flowers are pollinated by flies, which are attracted to the plant by nectar-producing glands on the cyanthium and by the brightly coloured bracts. Another characteristic feature of all Euphorbia species is the presence of milky latex, or sap, which is secreted by the plant though broken stems, or damaged roots and leaves. Found in all parts of the plant, the latex is usually poisonous, and probably developed to protect the plant from herbivores. Ingestion of the plant is known to cause severe irritation of the mouth and digestive systems, as well as nausea, diarrhoea and swelling, while direct contact with the sap can cause skin irritation, inflammation and blistering (5).
TopEuphorbia range
Euphorbia larica is distributed from Baluchistan province in Pakistan and south-west Iran through to northern Iran (6).
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Species with a similar range
Euphorbia habitat
Euphorbia larica is found on rocky slopes in mountainous areas, where it tends to dominate the shrub and herb communities (6).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Euphorbia status
This species has yet to be assessed by the IUCN.
TopEuphorbia threats
It is not known if there are any major threats to Euphorbia larica.
TopEuphorbia conservation
Euphorbia larica has not been the target of any known conservation measures.
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Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
Find out more
For more information on the conservation of plants, see:
-
Botanic Gardens Conservation International:
http://www.bgci.org/
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Glossary
- Bract
- Modified leaf at the base of a flower.
- Genus
- A category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.
- Herbivore
- An animal that consumes only vegetable matter.
- Inflorescence
- The reproductive shoot of a plant, which bears a group or cluster of flowers.
- Stamen
- The male reproductive organ of a flower; comprised of an anther (the pollen-producing organ) and a filament (stalk).
References
-
Species 2000 ITIS Catalogue of Life (August, 2009)
http://www.catalogueoflife.org/ -
International Euphorbia Society (October, 2010)
http://www.euphorbia-international.org/ -
University of Hawaii at Manoa (October, 2010)
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/euphorbi.htm - Takhtajan, A. (2009) Flowering Plants. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
-
Euphorbia: A Global Inventory of the Spurges (October, 2010)
http://www.euphorbiaceae.org/pages/about_euphorbia.html - Ghazanfar, S.A. and Fisher, M. (1998) Vegetation of the Arabian Peninsula. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands.
More »Related species
This species is featured in:
This species is featured in Jewels of the UAE, which showcases biodiversity found in the United Arab Emirates in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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Image credit
Euphorbia larica in habitat
© Shahina Ghazanfar / Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 332 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 208 332 5197
info@kew.org
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
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