Pointed Sandmat
Euphorbia acuta
Description 2
Plants perennial, generally erect to ascending; hairy; plants 10-20 cm tall. Roots typically thick, woody, and knotted and may be up to 2 cm in diameter. Stem hairs white, woolly to villous, often falling off later in the year (glabrate); largest internodes typically 1-2 (-3) mm in diameter. Stipules absent or reduced to a gland-like structure. Leaves ovate-acuminate to ovate-lanceolate; margins entire and often involute near the tip; hairs various, nearly glabrate late in the year; leaves extremely variable in size, usually not much more than 1 cm long (some specimens outside the Llano with leaves over 2 cm long). Cyathia relatively large, about 1.5 mm across. Appendages present, serrated. Fruits around 3 mm long at maturity. Seeds smooth, white.
Habitat and Distribution 2
Possibly on top of the Llano. Specimens have been found from Andrews, Winkler, Ward, Crane, and Upton Counties (Turner et. al., 2003; SRSC). If on top, then probably found mainly on the southern edge. No reports found on the Llano in New Mexico. It is restricted to rocky or gravelly limestone.
Other Comments 2
Most easily recognized by its leaves in combination with the hairy appearance. The specific epithet Euphorbia acuta Engelm. is used here following a proposal by Berry et al. (2011; TAXON 60: 603-604) against E. acuta Bellardi ex Colla and E. georgei Oudejans.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Nathan Taylor, all rights reserved, uploaded by Nathan Taylor
- (c) Nathan Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
