Euphorbia spathulata Lam.
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Detail
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Botanical Name
- Euphorbia spathulata Lam.
- Common Name
- Woodland Spurge
- Synonym(s)
- Euphorbia obtusata Pursh
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Euphorbia spathulata Lam.
- Comments
- Both the Digital Atlas and Flora of Virginia have tentatively followed Riina et al. (2016) in FNA12, who include Euphorbia obtusata Pursh in a broad circumscription of E. spathulata. Riina et al. (2016) report that there is "some geographic patterning" to the characters that distinguish the two taxa but cite frequent instances of morphological overlap and poor correlation of diagnostic characters. Additional systematic study is clearly needed to clarify the taxonomic and geographic limits of the putative segregates. However, if one chooses to separate the two, all of the material in the Virginia Piedmont would identify as E. obtusata. The Virginia status of E. spathulata sensu stricto, which has a more Midwestern range, is not known but would likely occur in the mountains. Pending further study of the issue, we will continue to follow FNA's broad interpretation of Euphorbia spathulata (including E. obtusata).
- Habitat
- Rich, mesic to dry forests, rocky woodlands, and clearings over mafic and calcareous rocks, or coastal shell deposits; nutrient-rich floodplain forests. Infrequent in mountains and Piedmont, but locally common in some areas; rare in Coastal Plain.
- Native Status
- Native
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