Euphorbia nivulia
| Euphorbia nivulia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. nivulia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham.[1]
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Euphorbia nivulia is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia. It is found in India and is commonly known as the leafy milk hedge, holy milk hedge or dog's tongue.[1]
Description
Euphorbia nivulia forms a small tree up to 9 m (30 ft) high and 1 m (3 ft) in girth. The bark is rough and thick. The branches are succulent, and grow out from the trunk at an obtuse angle. Spirally arranged tubercles on the branches bear clusters of sharp spines. The leaves are simple and arranged alternately, and have a very short or no stalk. The leaf blade is obovate and spoon-shaped to inverted-lanceshaped, up to 25 cm (10 in) long and 8 cm (3 in) wide. They are thick and fleshy, the tip is rounded, the base is tapered, and the margin is entire. The midrib is prominent on the underside of the leaf. The reddish cyathia (false flowers found in the genus Euphorbia) develop in groups of three in the axils of the leaves towards the ends of the branches. The fruits are divided into three parts, the lobes being compressed laterally. The seeds are four-angled and ovoid, smooth and about 4 mm (0.16 in) long. [1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Leafy milk hedge". Flowers of India. Retrieved 2 October 2021.