Euphorbia tannensis is a species of herb or shrub native to Australia and some Pacific islands.

Euphorbia tannensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. tannensis
Binomial name
Euphorbia tannensis
Subspecies

E. tannensis subsp. tannensis
E. tannensis subsp. eremophila

Description

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It grows as an erect annual or perennial herb or shrub, from 10 centimetres to a metre in height, with green or yellow flowers.[1] It often appears spindly due to its leaves being deciduous.[2]

Taxonomy

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This species was first published by Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel in 1809, based on a specimen collected by Georg Forster in . In 1977 two species, E. eremophila and E. finlaysonii, were submerged within E. tannensis as E. tannensis var. eremophila and E. tannensis var. finlaysonii respectively, these being treated as varieties of a new subspecies, E. tannensis subsp. eremophila.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

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This species is widespread on the Australian mainland, occurring in every mainland state, though only in the far north-west corner of Victoria (Australia).[2] It is widely reported as occurring only in Australia;[4] yet the type specimen was collected on Tanna in what is now Vanuatu, and it has also been recorded in New Caledonia.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Euphorbia tannensis Spreng". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  2. ^ a b c Hassall, David (1977). "The genus Euphorbia in Australia". Australian Journal of Botany. 25 (4): 429–453. doi:10.1071/BT9770429. hdl:2027.42/147178.
  3. ^ "Euphorbia tannensis Spreng". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. ^ "Euphorbia tannensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  5. ^ Morat, Philippe; Jaffré; Veillon, Jean-Marie. "The flora of New Caledonia's calcareous substrates". Adansonia. 3. 23 (1): 109–127.