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 Leaves and flowers Jason Sachs @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Attribution-Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Euphorbia cinerascens
General Desc:
Perennial covered with short, matted hairs forming small clumps, has a frosted appearance; stems erect or ascending, may be almost flat on the ground in open flats especially so in disturbed soil; stems slender, reddish, repeatedly forking.
Identification notes: Clusters of 15 to 20 males, 1 female flower in leaf axils and branch tips, petal-like appendages white, longer than reddish-purple glands; capsules hairy; leaves opposite, fine curly hairs on both sides. Curly hairs on stems too; seeds wrinkled, 4-angled.
Height:
3 to 8 inches
Habitat Description: Found on dry, rocky slopes or flats, sunny hillsides and along washes. Can be found on disturbed soils.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 800 - 5000 feet
Color:
White with reddish-purple glands
Shape:
Regular in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jan - Dec
Description:
Flower clusters of cup-like structures enclose a single female flower and 15 to 20 male flowers (cyathia); 4 red, reddish-purple nectar glands; white, scalloped, petal-like appendages, usually much wider than subtending nectar glands.
Leaf Color:
Green, aging to dark red
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Round or oval
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Leaf blades opposite, oval-shaped, 1/16 to 1/2 inch long, green to dark red with age; asymmetrical bases; pair of leaf-like appendages (stipules) at base of leaf stem united on lower side, distinct on upper. Stems sometimes reddish.
Fruit Color: Green to light brown
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Lobed capsule with short, matted hairs; oval-shaped; sharply angled.
Seed Notes: Seeds white, oval-shaped, 4-angled in cross section, smooth to wrinkled or alveolate (honeycomb pattern).
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