Euphorbia segetalis L. var. pinea (L.) Lange

Spice

Family: EUPHORBIACEAE

Genus: Euphorbia

Catalan common name: Herba glabre. Lleteresa de camp.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Rocky coastlines, cliff faces, beaches. Disturbed zones and road sides.

Characteristics: Its short, wide stem that greatly branches out at the top forming the branches that bear the leaves and the inflorescences characterizes this spurge. This is a perennial that differs from the typical Euphorbia segetalis variety, which is an annual. The taxonomical classification is doubtful however, as it has even been considered a separate species and often as a subspecies. Here we follow the criteria of the Flora Ibérica, despite that its morphological and life cycle differences underscore the differences between the varieties. Lives along the littoral and in abandoned fields. Flowers through the spring.