Publication: Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris) 5: 308 1899.
Description
Euphorbia perrieri is a few branched succulent shrub up to 2 m high.
Stems: Branches spiny.
Stipular spines: Stout, large, crowded, arranged in spiral rows and thus forming continuous ribs.
Leaves: Deciduous, tufted at the ends of angles close to the ends of the shoots, dark green, oblong-lanceolate, narrowed towards the base almost to a stalk, roundish above, apex acuminate, 25 cm long, 4 (or more) cm broad, with numerous leaf nerves. Petiole 2-3cm long Deciduous.
Inflorescence (cymes): Formed on leafless plants. Pseudo-umbellate, laxly branched with 15-30(-40) cyathia (flowers). Peduncle green to red- brown, sticky or hairy-sticky. Cyathophylls (leaf-like bracts) erect, broadly ovate, longer than cyathia, yellowish- green, apex rounded, shortly apiculate.
Cyathia: Small pendent. Glands yellowish-green. Male flowers exserted. Ovary spherical; styles nearly free, bifid.
Origin and Habitat
Northern Madagascar: High plateau of Fort Dauphin (Sambirano region, Manongarivo massif; and Tsingy of Namoroka, Ankarafantsika). The species is known from less than ten locations.
Habitat and Ecology: Located in dry forests and woods on sandstone. The species is threatened by habitat degradation, fire, collection for horticulture and there is continuing decline.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Werner Rauh “Succulent and xerophytic plants of Madagascar”, Volume 1 Strawberry Press, 1995
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Hermann Jacobsen “Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
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Haevermans, T. 2004. “Euphorbia perrieri.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T44418A10900618. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44418A10900618.en. Downloaded on 18 December 2016.
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