blotched spurge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blotched spurge
• creeping spurge
• hairy-fruited spurge
• milk purslane
• milk spurge
• spotted sandmat
• spotted spurge
• milk-purslane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chamaesyce tracyi
• Xamesike littoralis
• Chamaesyce maculata
• Tithymalus maculatus
• Anisophyllum maculatum
• Chamaesyce jovetii
• Euphorbia maculata var. detonsa
• Euphorbia maculata var. parvula
• Chamaesyce pseudonutans
• Euphorbia jovetii
• Chamaesyce supina
• Euphorbia supina
• Xamesike maculata
• Xamesike supina
• Xamesike depressa

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 categorized under the genus Euphorbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in Austria and Belgium. It also inhabits the territories of both Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends through Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Euphorbia maculata is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is typically found at low altitudes, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. By occupying these lower-altitude lowland habitats, the plant adapts to the specific climatic and soil conditions prevalent in these regions.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Euphorbia maculata are characterized by a complex and variable karyotype that demonstrates significant chromosomal plasticity within the species. Scientific analysis of its cytological makeup reveals a non-uniform chromosomal distribution, with recorded chromosome numbers fluctuating between 28, 42, and 56. This variation in chromosome count suggests the presence of polyploidy or aneuploidy within different populations, a common genetic phenomenon in the Euphorbia genus that often contributes to evolutionary adaptation and phenotypic diversity. Such chromosomal instability and the existence of multiple ploidy levels play a critical role in the plant's genetic architecture and its ability to thrive in diverse ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

28, 42, 56

Life history

The life history of Euphorbia maculata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives unfavorable conditions primarily through the production of seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. Its growth habit is strictly deciduous, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle. This combination of an annual lifecycle and a therophyte life form allows the species to efficiently exploit seasonal resources and rapidly colonize disturbed environments before retreating into a seed bank during periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Euphorbia maculata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. It exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, maintaining a self-supporting structure without the need for climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas. In terms of size, the plant is diminutive, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. The shoots are relatively short, with lengths measuring between 5 cm and 15 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Shoot length max:

15 cm

Shoot length min:

5 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Euphorbia maculata is characterized by a specialized photosynthetic pathway utilizing the C4 mechanism, which allows for efficient carbon fixation under specific environmental conditions. Its vegetative morphology features leaves with an oblong form, which exhibit significant variability in dimensions; the leaf length typically averages 0.9 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 1.7 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a mean value of 0.3 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf form :

oblong

Leaf length max:

1.7 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.9 cm

Leaf length min:

0.3 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Euphorbia maculata is primarily driven by sexual processes, as the plant is bisexual and does not exhibit asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through September, featuring red flowers arranged in a pseudoraceime inflorescence. The pollination process is biotic, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate fertilization, which is essential since self-fertilization is noted as absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, dehiscent capsules as its fruit type. These capsules are relatively small, with a mean length, width, and diameter of approximately 0.2 cm (ranging from 0.11 cm to 0.2 cm in length and 0.12 cm to 0.2 cm in width). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are minute, characterized by a mean mass of 0.000176833333333333 g (ranging from 0.00014 g to 0.00033 g), a mean length of 0.85 mm (ranging from 0.8 mm to 1 mm), and a mean width of 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm. The seed volume is consistent at a mean of 0.12 mm³. Dispersal is characterized by an unspecialized syndrome, specifically utilizing epizoochory to spread seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.11 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.12 cm

Inflorescence :

pseudoraceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

1 mm

Seed length mean:

0.85 mm

Seed length min:

0.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00033 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000176833333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00014 g

Seed volume max:

0.12 mm³

Seed width max:

0.5 mm

Seed width min:

0.4 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Euphorbia maculata has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin, Avicularin, Gallic acid, Isoprenoids, Juglanin.

Astragalin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Avicularin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Gallic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Isoprenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Juglanin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

METHYL GALLATE

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ellagic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

polyphenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Euphorbia maculata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations