Euphorbia heteropodum Pax

Euphorbiaceae, A. R.-Smith. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1987

Morphology General Habit

Succulent perennial herb, with a thick fleshy rootstock; stems numerous, bright green, branching from the base, erect or decumbent to ± 50 cm. long, 2–4.5 cm. thick, tessellated with prominent conical tubercles to 1.5 × 1.3 mm. at the base and to 7 mm. high, bearing the leaves in 5 or 8 tightly spiralled series.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves obovate to oblanceolate, to 6 × 2.5 cm., base tapering gradually, apex obtuse and apiculate, margin entire, crisped on young leaves; stipules evident as 3–5 prickles to 2 mm. long, from a horny pad surrounding the base of the leaf-scar.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes on stout peduncles ± 5 mm. long, 1–2-forked, arising in the axils of the tubercles; bract-cup slightly exceeding the involucre, ± 7 × 6 mm., shallowly notched between acute apices and prominent midribs, greenish white.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Cyathia

Cyathia ± 6 × 5.5 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glandular rim 3 mm. high edged with pink; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1 × 1.5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Male flowers:bracteoles few, laciniate, minutely puberulous; stamens 4.5 mm. long. Female flower:styles 2.5 mm. long, joined at the base, with thickened rugulose deeply bifid apices.

sex Male

Male flowers:bracteoles few, laciniate, minutely puberulous; stamens 4.5 mm. long.

sex Female

Female flower:styles 2.5 mm. long, joined at the base, with thickened rugulose deeply bifid apices.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule exserted on a pedicel ± 5 mm. long, acutely 3-lobed, with truncate base, ± 5 × 6 mm., and with a pair of narrow fleshy toothed ridges along each angle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds oblong, 4-angled, with truncate base, 3 × 2.3 mm., pale brown, minutely tuberculate; caruncle stipitate.