Euphorbia serpens

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Euphorbia serpens
Chamaesyceserpens.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. serpens
Binomial name
Euphorbia serpens
Synonyms

Chamaesyce serpens

Euphorbia serpens is a species of Euphorbia known by the common name matted sandmat. It is native to the Americas but it can be found on most continents as an introduced species and often a weed. [2]

Contents

Description

This is an annual herb forming a mat of prostrate stems which root at nodes where the stem comes in contact with the ground. The oval leaves occur in oppositely arranged pairs, each leaf less than a centimeter long. The inflorescence is a cyathium with scalloped white petal-like appendages surrounding the actual flowers. A red nectar gland is at the base of each appendage, and at the center of the cyathium are several male flowers around one female flower. The fruit is a lobed, spherical capsule.

Flowers EuphorbiaS7.jpg
Flowers
Macro view of a single flower Euphorbia serpens flower.jpg
Macro view of a single flower
Macro view of a single fruit Euphorbia serpens fruit.jpg
Macro view of a single fruit

References

  1. NatureServe (2024). "Euphorbia serpens". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  2. Flora of Zimbabwe