Euphorbia serrata

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 459. 1753.

Common names: Saw-toothed or toothed or serrate spurge
WeedyIntroduced
Synonyms: Galarhoeus serratus (Linnaeus) Haworth Tithymalus serratus (Linnaeus) Hill
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 309. Mentioned on page 296.

Herbs, perennial, with thick rootstock. Stems erect, branched, 10–70 cm, glabrous. Leaves: petiole absent; blade lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, linear, or linear-lanceolate, 10–70 × 2–20 mm, base acute or obtuse, margins irregularly serrate, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces glabrous; venation inconspicuous, only midvein prominent. Cyathial arrangement: terminal pleiochasial branches 3–5, each 1–3 times 2-branched; pleiochasial bracts ovate-lanceolate, usually shorter and wider than distal leaves; dichasial bracts distinct, ovate or deltate, base obtuse to cordate, margins irregularly dentate, apex acute, or obtuse, mucronate; axillary cymose branches 0–3. Cyathia: peduncle 1–5 mm. Involucre campanulate, 2–4 × 1.2–3 mm, glabrous; glands 4–5, elliptic, ovate, or suborbiculate, 1.2–1.8 × 1.5–2.7 mm; horns absent or slightly divergent, 0–0.6 mm. Staminate flowers 20–40. Pistillate flowers: ovary glabrous; styles 1–2 mm, 2-fid. Capsules subovoid, 4.5–6 × 4–5 mm, 3-lobed; cocci rounded, smooth occasionally slightly puncticulate, glabrous; columella 4–4.5 mm. Seeds grayish, cylindric, 2.5–3.1 × 1.7–2 mm, smooth or slightly dotted; caruncle subconic, lobed, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm.


Phenology: Flowering and fruiting spring–fall.
Habitat: Waste places, disturbed sites, roadsides, fields, pastures.
Elevation: 0–300 m.

Distribution

V12 1065-distribution-map.jpg

Introduced; Calif., Europe, Atlantic Islands (Macaronesia).

Discussion

Euphorbia serrata, native to the western Mediterranean region of Europe and Macaronesia, is listed as a noxious weed by the state of California. In the flora area, it has been found in coastal counties from Sonoma to Monterey counties; attempts to eradicate it may have been successful.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Euphorbia serrata"
Ricarda Riina +, Dmitry V. Geltman +, Jess A. Peirson +  and Paul E. Berry +
Linnaeus +
Saw-toothed or toothed or serrate spurge +
Calif. +, Europe +  and Atlantic Islands (Macaronesia). +
0–300 m. +
Waste places, disturbed sites, roadsides, fields, pastures. +
Flowering and fruiting spring–fall. +
Weedy +  and Introduced +
Galarhoeus serratus +  and Tithymalus serratus +
Euphorbia serrata +
Euphorbia subg. Esula +
species +