Euphorbia hirta Linnaeus (1753: 454)

Silva, Otávio Luis Marques Da, Cordeiro, Inês & Caruzo, Maria Beatriz Rossi, 2014, Synopsis of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Phytotaxa 181 (4), pp. 193-215 : 200

9. Euphorbia hirta Linnaeus (1753: 454) ( Fig. 3C–E ). Lectoype (designated by Wheeler 1939: 72):— INDIA. Locality unknown, Anonymous s.n. (LINN 630.7!).

Distribution and habitat:— Euphorbia hirta is a worldwide tropical and subtropical weed. In the state of São Paulo the species is very common, mainly in disturbed areas.

Representative Specimen:— BRAZIL. São Paulo: São José do Barreiro , 21 January 2013, O.L.M. Silva et al. 77 (SP) .

Taxonomic notes:— Euphorbia hirta is very similar to E. ophthalmica , but differs from it in having capitate dichasia along all the stem while, while E. ophthalmica these are restricted to the terminal portion of the stems. Besides, E. hirta is an erect herb, with stems branched only near the base, and its leaves are generally bigger than those of E. ophthalmica .

Figures

FIGURE 3. A–B: Euphorbia heterophylla. A. habit, B. branch with cyathia. C–E: Euphorbia hirta. C. habit, D. branch with cyathia, E. cyathium. F–H: Euphorbia hyssopifolia. F. habit, G. synflorescence, H. branch with cyathia. Photos: O.L.M. Silva.