Euphorbia corollata L.

Flowering Spurge; Tramp's Spurge

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Flowering Spurge is a native perennial in the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It can be found mainly in central and north Alabama. It is most common in areas with limey or chalky soils. Flowering Spurge occurs on marl outcrops, in prairies, in cedar glades, and on road cuts. It is a perennial with a deep taproot. Stems are erect, pubescent, and green or reddish in color. Stems are up to 3 feet in height and are unbranched below the inflorescence. Leaves are alternate, sessile, leathery in texture, oblong to oblanceolate in outline, with entire, revolute margins. The apex of the leaf is rounded, and leaves are pubescent on the lower surface. The leaves are appressed or ascending. Flowers are produced in a widely branched inflorescence. The cyathium (a specialized involucrate inflorescence found in Euphorbia) resembles a flower. It is composed of a cup-shaped involucre of fused bracts enclosing several greatly reduced male flowers and a single female flower. It has 5 white petaloid appendages (these are the “petals”), and the female flower is elevated on a short stalk. The fruit is a 3-locular capsule. All parts of the plant contain a white latex that is released if the plant is injured. Flowering Spurge has often been confused with Southeastern Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia pubentissima Michaux). Flowering Spurge differs in being a taller plant, usually growing on basic soils, having a later flowering time, and by have leaves that are appressed or ascending and thick in texture.--A. Diamond

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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