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myrtle spurge

cypress spurge

Habit Herbs perennial, 1–4 dm; stems decumbent to ascending, glabrous. Herbs or subshrubs perennial, 1.5–3(4) dm; stems erect, glabrous.
Leaves

alternate (upper and floral leaves may be opposite or whorled), densely crowded on stem, obovate to obovate-oblong, 10–45 × 5–16 mm;

margins entire to serrulate at least in upper 25%;

tips mucronate;

surfaces glabrous, glaucous;

lower leaves alternate, sometimes appearing whorled, linear, 10–30 × 1–3 mm;

margins entire;

tips obtuse to acuminate;

surfaces glabrous, sessile; floral leaves opposite or whorled, broadly ovate, 0.4–1 cm;

margins entire to slightly crenate, sessile.

Inflorescences

involucres cone- to bell-shaped, 1.5–3 mm;

glands shortly 2-horned.

involucres bell-shaped, 1–3 mm;

glands 2-horned.

Fruits

round to oblong, 5–7mm.

oblong, 2.5–3 mm.

Seeds

round to oblong, 3–4 mm; smooth or wrinkled.

ellipsoid, 1.5–2 mm; smooth.

±

sessile.

2n

=20, 36, 42.

Euphorbia myrsinites

Euphorbia cyparissias

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Disturbed areas, escaped from nearby cultivation. Flowering Apr–Jun. 500–1000 m. BW, Col, Lava. CA, ID, WA; scattered in western US, MI, Ontario; Europe. Exotic.

The densely crowded leaves on the stems and decumbent to ascending habit easily distinguish E. myrsinites from all other members of this genus in Oregon.

Disturbed areas. Flowering May–Aug. 0–1600 m. BW, CR, ECas, WV. CA, ID, WA; throughout North America; Asia, Europe. Exotic.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 645
Stephen Meyers
Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 645
Stephen Meyers
Sibling taxa
E. crenulata, E. cyparissias, E. dentata, E. esula, E. helioscopia, E. lathyris, E. oblongata, E. peplus, E. spathulata
E. crenulata, E. dentata, E. esula, E. helioscopia, E. lathyris, E. myrsinites, E. oblongata, E. peplus, E. spathulata
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