Biology:Euphorbia celastroides

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Short description: Species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia celastroides
Chamaesyce cyathia.jpg
Chamaesyce celastroides (inflorescence)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. celastroides
Binomial name
Euphorbia celastroides
Boiss.
Synonyms[1]

Euphorbia celastroides is a flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae.[1] It is referred to by the common name 'akoko by Hawaiians, and is a species of spurge closely related to the poinsettia.[2] This species develops into a round-shape shrub. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Description

Fruit of E. celastroides

Euphorbia celastroides grows as a medium-sized shrub or small tree reaching 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.[3] To grow properly, this species requires temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F) and light shade.[4] This plant develops in a fashion similar to a shrub. In the summer, it assumes a red-violet colouring. It does not lose its leaves in the winter, due to the warm climate of its range. Female flowers have a three-part pistil over a three-part ovary, usually producing three (or sometimes more) seeds.[4] This species is tolerant of heat and drought. They are susceptible to fungal diseases. Its cyathia may be located in short or open-branched cymes, or remain ungrouped in leaf axils. The leaves are distichous (grow in two vertical rows) and may have a glaucous coating. This plant produces a green or brown, rounded fruit 2 to 4 mm long, containing grey-brown seeds 0.5 to 2.5 mm long.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Most varieties of this species can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands.[5][6] E. celastroides is tolerant of drought and grows in dry areas, inland as well coastal.[7] This species is endemic to the polihale and kanaio regions of Kauai and Maui.[8]

Conservation

Euphorbia celastroides has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN.[9] However, due to its endemic nature, it is very vulnerable to human threats. Two examples of such threats are four-wheeled vehicles (which crush the plant) and introduced species (which compete for resources).[8]

Varieties

This plant has many varieties. These varieties include:[10]

  • Var. amplectens
  • Var. halawana
  • Var. hanapepensis
  • Var. haupuana
  • Var. humbertii
  • Var. ingrata
  • Var. kaenana
  • Var. kohalana
  • Var. laehiensis
  • Var. lorifolia
  • Var. mauiensis
  • Var. nelsonii
  • Var. nematopoda
  • Var. niuensis
  • Var. pseudoniuensis
  • Var. saxicola
  • Var. typica
  • Var. waikoluensis

References

Wikidata ☰ Q5410407 entry