Euphorbia celastroides

Euphorbia celastroides, previously also known as Chamaesyce celastroides, named 'akoko by the Hawaiians, is a species of spurge closely related to the poinsettia.[1] This species develops into a round-shape shrub. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Euphorbia celastroides
Chamaesyce celastroides (inflorescence)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. celastroides
Binomial name
Euphorbia celastroides
Synonyms

Chamaesyce celastroides

Description
Fruit of E. celastroides

Euphorbia celastroides grows as a medium-sized shrub or small tree reaching 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.[2] To grow properly, this species requires temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F) and light shade.[3] This plant develops in a fashion similar to a shrub. In the summer, it assumes a red-violet colouring. It does not lose its leaves in the winter, due to the warm climate of its range. Female flowers have a three-part pistil over a three-part ovary, usually producing three (or sometimes more) seeds.[3] This species is tolerant of heat and drought. They are susceptible to fungal diseases. Its cyathia may be located in short or open-branched cymes, or remain ungrouped in leaf axils. The leaves are distichous (grow in two vertical rows) and may have a glaucous coating. This plant produces a green or brown, rounded fruit 2 to 4 mm long, containing grey-brown seeds 0.5 to 2.5 mm long.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Most varieties of this species can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands.[4][5] E. celastroides is tolerant of drought and grows in dry areas, inland as well coastal.[6] This species is endemic to the polihale and kanaio regions of Kauai and Maui.[7]

Conservation

Euphorbia celastroides has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN.[8] However, due to its endemic nature, it is very vulnerable to human threats. Two examples of such threats are four-wheeled vehicles (which crush the plant) and introduced species (which compete for resources).[7]

Varieties

This plant has many varieties. These varieties include:[9]

  • Var. amplectens
  • Var. halawana
  • Var. hanapepensis
  • Var. haupuana
  • Var. humbertii
  • Var. ingrata
  • Var. kaenana
  • Var. kohalana
  • Var. laehiensis
  • Var. laurifolia
  • Var. mauiensis
  • Var. nelsonii
  • Var. nematopoda
  • Var. niuensis
  • Var. pseudoniuensis
  • Var. saxicola
  • Var. typica
  • Var. waikoluensis
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References
  1. "Euphorbiaceae at hawaii.edu". Archived from the original on 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  2. Hawaiian flora at botany.si.edu
  3. E. celastroides at ZipCodeZoo
  4. Wagner, W.; D. Herbst; S. Sohmer (1990). Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 1853. ISBN 978-0-8248-1152-5.
  5. USDA.gov on Var.kaenana
  6. Mitchell, Andrew W. (1989). The fragile South Pacific: an ecological odyssey. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-292-72466-2. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  7. CHAMAESYCE CELASTROIDES COASTAL DRY SHRUBLAND Archived 2009-09-18 at the Wayback Machine at hawaii.edu
  8. Chamaesyce celastroides Archived 2010-07-14 at the Wayback Machine at EOL.org
  9. Euphorbia on SageBud
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