Euphorbia adenoptera Bertoloni (1844: 20)

Silva, Otávio Luis Marques Da, Cordeiro, Inês & Caruzo, Maria Beatriz Rossi, 2014, Synopsis of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Phytotaxa 181 (4), pp. 193-215 : 196

1. Euphorbia adenoptera Bertoloni (1844: 20) ( Fig. 1A–D ). Type:— DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Locality unknown, C.L.G. Bertero s.n. (holotype TO, isotypes F!, G-DC!).

Distribution and habitat:— Euphorbia adenoptera is a widespread weed, occurring in Mexico, Central America, the Carribean and South America. In the State of São Paulo the species is only known by specimens collected on roadsides.

Representative Specimen:— BRAZIL. São Paulo: Atibaia , 28 October 2013, O.L.M. Silva 93 (SP) .

Taxonomic notes:— Euphorbia adenoptera is similar to E. thymifolia , but differs from it in the cyathial glands appendages (well developed in E. adenoptera vs. absent or inconspicuous in E. thymifolia ). Both species have an inconspicuous growth of the pistillate flower’s pedicel, so that the fruit is exposed through an aperture between the two glands bearing bigger appendages in E. adenoptera , while the subsessile fruit splits the involucre during its maturation in E. thymifolia . Euphorbia adenoptera also can be distinguished from E. thymifolia by its purplish anthers (vs. yellowish in E. thymifolia ) and the seeds.

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–D: Euphorbia adenoptera. A. habit, B. branch with cyathia, C. abaxial surface of a branch, D. cyathium. E–F. Euphorbia bahiensis. E. synflorescence, F. branch with cyathia. G–I: Euphorbia chrysophylla. G: habit, H: leaves, I: branch with cyathia. Photos: A–D: O.L.M. Silva, E–F: M. Pastore, G–I: R. Dayrell.