Euphorbia flavicoma DC., Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp.

Caković, Danka, Cresti, Leonardo, Stešević, Danijela, Schönswetter, Peter & Frajman, Božo, 2021, High genetic and morphological diversification of the Euphorbia verrucosa alliance (Euphorbiaceae) in the Balkan and Iberian peninsulas, TAXON 70 (2), pp. 286-307 : 299-302

Euphorbia flavicoma DC., Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp. : 110. 1813

≡ Galarhoeus flavicomus (DC.) Fourr. in Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n.s., 17: 149. 1869 ≡ Tithymalus flavicomus (DC.) Bubani, Fl. Pyren. 1: 108. 1897 ≡ E. epithymoides var. flavicoma (DC.) Fiori in Fiori & Béguinot, Fl. Italia 2: 277. 1901 ≡ E. brittingeri subsp. flavicoma (DC.) Ladero in Anales Inst. Bot. Cavanilles 31: 124. 1974 –

Lectotype (designated by Simon & Vicens, Estud. Biosist. Euphorbia Меditеr. Occid.: 326. 1999): [ France], “Env. de Montpellier“ (G barcode G00312001! ).

Description. – Pubescent perennial, (10)13.2–40.4(52.8) cm tall, with usually several stems (9.4)10.2–28.8(36) cm high and (1)1.5–2(3) mm thick, arising from a woody stock. Middle stem leaves oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, (9)11.7–17.5(28) × (2.9) 3.5–7.1(7.9) mm, (1.9)2–4(5.4) times longer than wide, widest at 0.4–0.6(0.7) of the length, with an attenuate to rounded basis and an acute to obtuse apex with the tip angle (47) 70–127(152) Ǫ. Leaf margin minutely serrulate with (0)2–15 (18) teeth along a 5 mm section just below the tip; the teeth 0.03–0.11(0.15) mm long and 0.1–0.23(0.3) mm wide at the base. Leaves glabrous or hairy with 0–11(57) hairs per mm 2 at the upper surface of the distal half of the leaf. Terminal rays five, rarely three or four, (6)11–40(45) mm long, 1–2 times dichotomous, (0.6)1–3.1(4.9) times longer than ray leaves. Ray leaves elliptic-ovate, rarely oblong, (7)8.6–15.7(18.3) × (2.8)4.2–7.8(9) mm, (1.2)1.5–3(4.4) times longer than wide, widest at (0.3)0.4–0.5(0.6) of the length with a rounded basis and an acute to obtuse apex with the tip angle (45)79–146 (153) Ǫ. Raylet leaves elliptic-ovate to suborbicular, (4.2)5.2– 9(11) × (2.3)2.9–6.6(7.6) mm, (1.2)1.3–1.8(2.1) times longer than wide, widest at 0.4–0.6(0.7) of the length with a rounded basis and an obtuse, rarely acute apex with the tip angle (81) 106–149(164) Ǫ. Cyathial involucre campanulate, (1.2)1.4– 2.2(2.5) × (1.1)1.5–2.4(2.5) mm, (0.7)0.8–1.2(1.3) times longer than wide, with transversely elliptic glands, (0.3)0.5–0.8 (0.9) × (0.7) 0.9–1.5 mm, (0.7)0.8–1.2(1.3) times longer than wide. Capsule subglobose, shallowly trilobate, (1)2.5–3.8 (4.2) × (1.3)2.7–4.4(4.6) mm, (0.6)0.8–1.0 times longer than wide, widest at (0.3)0.4–0.6(0.7) of the length, with warts (0.1)0.2–0.7(1.0) × 0.2–0.4(0.5) mm, (0.4)0.5–2.1(3.1) times longer than wide, widest at (0.1)0.2–0.6(0.7) of the length. Style (0.3)0.5–1.0(2.0) mm long. Seeds ovoid-ellipsoid to ellipsoid, smooth, brownish, 2.1–2.4 × 2.0– 2.2 mm, 1.0–1.1 times longer than wide, widest at 0.4–0.5 of the length. Caruncle kidney-shaped or semi-hemispherical, 0.2–0.7 × 0.3– 1.0 mm, 0.6–1.0 times longer than wide and widest at 0.4–0.7 of the length. 2 n = 14, 28.

Distribution. – Iberian Peninsula ( Portugal, Spain, southern and western France). Note: even if Portugal is not listed as distribution area of E. flavicoma by Benedí & al. (1997), it is included with one locality in the red list of the Portugal flora (https://lvf.flora-on.pt/).

Habitat. – Mesic to mediterranean grasslands, thermophilous forests and forest margins, scrublands from lowlands to 1900 m.