Description:
Sthn trop. Afr. 150, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and sthn Afr. *Euphorbia leucocephala Lotsy, an introduced ornamental, has become invasive, particularly in some urban areas [Coates Palgrave: 460 (2002)]. Chamaesyce is sometimes treated as a genus distinct from Euphorbia. The following characters in combination distinguish it from Euphorbia : Annual or perennial herbs with milky latex, with main axis aborting above cotyledons. Leaves opposite, inaequilateral at base; veins surrounded by a chlorenchyma sheath; stipules present, interpetiolar. Seeds usually ecarunculate. Archer: 255 (2000) argues for considering Chamaesyce a subgenus of Euphorbia.
Source:
SSTA
Synonym(s):
Chamaesyce S.F.Gray: 260 (1821); Koutnik: 262 (1984); Webster: 129 (1994); Radcliffe-Smith: 415 (2001).
Classification:
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