Euphorbia cameronii N.E.Br.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Type

Somalia, data lost (see note) (K holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Densely branched glabrous shrub or small tree 2–8 m high

Morphology Branches

Branches terete, fleshy, green, marked with prominent crescent-shaped leaf-scars

Morphology Leaves

Leaves shortly petiolate, ovate, 2–4 x 1–2.5 cm with rounded apex, soon deciduous; petiole 2–4 mm long; stipules glandular, contiguous with a crowded row of small but conspicuous dark brown axillary glands, persistent after the leaf has fallen

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes terminal, in a 2–3-branched umbel or reduced to a solitary cyathium, on peduncles 2–5 mm long; bracts 2–3, conspicuous, transversely elliptic, 1–1.5 x 1.5–2.5 cm, white

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Involucre

Cyathia 7 mm in diam.; glands 5, 3–3.5 mm broad, green becoming yellow

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens well exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth an obvious rim below the ovary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Styles 4.5 mm long, joined to halfway, with recurved thickened rugose apices

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule exserted on a recurved pedicel 10–13 mm long, subglobose, c. 1.5 cm in diam., obtusely 3-lobed, with 2 small fleshy ridges at the base of each lobe, pale green flushed with red

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds globose, 5–6 mm in diam., smooth, pale grey, minutely brown-speckled; caruncle 1.5–2 mm wide, yellow.

Distribution

N1–3 not known elsewhere.

Ecology

Altitude range 400–1600 m.

Vernacular

Ciin, mirhig (Somali)

Note

Prior to 1911, the date of publication of the species, the type material was almost certainly collected inland from Berbera at the “Behindullah” locality in N1 (Bally 10400), and by either Mrs Lort Phillips, or – as Bally suggested – by Drake-Brockman. The data on the label attached to the type-specimen states: “British Central Africa [Malawi], 1905. Habitat Ntondwe. No. 153. K. J. Cameron, Esq.” As discussed by Bally in Candollea 18: 13 & 354 (1962–3), this label clearly does not belong to the specimen, the only one N. E. Brown saw.