Euphorbia humifusa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tithymalus humifusus
• Chamaesyce humifusa
• Anisophyllum humifusum
• Chamaesyce humifusa var. glabra
• Euphorbia humifusa f. glabra
• Chamaesyce humifusa f. glabra
• Euphorbia humifusa var. glabra
• Chamaesyce humifusa var. pilosa
• Euphorbia humifusa f. pilosa
• Chamaesyce humifusa f. pilosa
• Euphorbia humifusa var. pilosa
• Chamaesyce humifusa var. pseudochamaesyce
• Euphorbia humifusa var. pseudochamaesyce
• Chamaesyce tashiroi
• Euphorbia pseudochamaesyce
• Euphorbia pseudochamaesyce f. pilosa
• Euphorbia polygonisperma
• Euphorbia tashiroi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Euphorbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several territories in Middle Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Austria. Additionally, its range extends through the regions of Czechia and Slovakia. The species is also documented in Germany and Hungary. Finally, its geographical presence includes the country of Poland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Euphorbia humifusa is characterized by its adaptability to diverse substrates and specific altitudinal constraints. This species thrives within an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 300 m AMSL. Its preferred habitats are quite varied, demonstrating a resilience to different environmental conditions as it can be found growing in gardens, along the banks of rivers, in sandy terrains, and within stony places.

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

garden,rivers,sand,stonyplaces

Life history

The life history of Euphorbia humifusa is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire biological process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a plant that avoids harsh environmental conditions through the production of seeds, its life form is classified as a therophyte, which allows it to persist in its habitat via dormant seed banks between seasons. This strategy of rapid growth and seasonal completion is consistent with its physiological classification as a therophyte, ensuring its survival in specific ecological niches through a single, productive reproductive phase.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Euphorbia humifusa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, primarily existing as a terrestrial plant. It exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, functioning as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or vine. The plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 0.085 m. In terms of its structural dimensions, the shoots can reach a maximum length of 12 cm. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.085 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Shoot length max:

12 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Euphorbia humifusa is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic adaptation through a C4 photosynthetic pathway, which optimizes carbon fixation and water-use efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features specialized leaf morphology, consisting of linear leaf forms that exhibit finely toothed margins. These leaves are relatively small in scale, with a mean length of 0.75 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1 cm) and a mean width of 0.45 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm). Notably, the leaf anatomy is devoid of defensive structures, as it possesses no leaf thorns or leaf spines.

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.75 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.45 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Euphorbia humifusa is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction system where self-fertilization is notably absent. The flowering period begins in June and continues through September, producing small green flowers. These flowers rely on a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant develops small fruits that typically measure a mean length of 0.2 cm and a mean width of 0.22 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.12 cm to a maximum of 0.22 cm in length and 0.12 cm to 0.22 cm in width. The resulting seeds are quite minute, possessing a mean mass of 0.000269 g; they have a length ranging from 1 mm to 1.3 mm and a width ranging from 0.7 mm to 0.8 mm. Seed dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes internal mechanisms to disperse its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.12 cm

Fruit width max:

0.22 cm

Fruit width min:

0.12 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length max:

1.3 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.000269 g

Seed width max:

0.8 mm

Seed width min:

0.7 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Euphorbia humifusa has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Excoecarianin, Flavonoids, Geraniin, Sterols.

Coumarins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Excoecarianin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Geraniin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Sterols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

apigenin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

apigenin-7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

apigenin-7-O-beta-D-lutinoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Euphorbia humifusa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Prebiotic.

Antifungal

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Prebiotic

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Euphorbia humifusa has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, intestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, dysentery, heat.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations