Euphorbia tannensis explained

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

Description

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

Taxonomy

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.[1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is widespread on the Australian mainland, occurring in every mainland state, though only in the far north-west corner of Victoria (Australia).[1] It is widely reported as occurring only in Australia; yet the type specimen was collected on Tanna in what is now Vanuatu, and it has also been recorded in New Caledonia.[2]

Notes and References

  1. David . Hassall . The genus Euphorbia in Australia . Australian Journal of Botany . 25 . 4 . 429–453 . 10.1071/BT9770429 . 1977. 2027.42/147178 . free .
  2. Morat, Philippe . Jaffré . Veillon, Jean-Marie . The flora of New Caledonia's calcareous substrates . Adansonia . 3 . 23 . 1 . 109–127.