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Euphorbia hypericifolia L.
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Common Name: | Graceful Spurge, Large Spotted Spurge, Graceful Sandmat, 通奶草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical, Subtropical America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 0.6 m tall with spreading or erect growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are elliptic to oblong and arranged in pairs (1-2 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide). Leaf margin is lined with minute teeth. |
| Flowers | Unisexual flowers are arranged in a flower-like inforescence known as a cyathium. A cyathium is composed of 1 tiny female flower surrounded by several male flowers. The cyathia are grouped together in a head. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruit is known as a capsule (1.5 mm wide). Each 3-lobed fruit produces 3 greyish purple, egg-shaped seeds (1 mm long). Seeds are 4-angled and slightly wrinkled. |
| Cultivation | The species is generally considered a weed, but there are a few ornamental cultivars. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In tropical and subtropical American folk medicine, a decoction or infusion prepared from the leaves and roots is used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed, Ciliate / Hairy |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Cyathium |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32218 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6624 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
