Euphorbia pithyusa L.
Family: EUPHORBIACEAE
Genus: Euphorbia
Province distribution: Balearic Islands.
Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Dragonera.
General distribution (Phytogeography): Central Mediterranean
IUCN Category: Least concern
Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Life-forms: Chameophyte.
Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Coastal areas and sand dunes. Cultivated areas of the mountains.
Characteristics: This spurge forms small bushes, since it is perennial; it is quickly recognisable because the dead leaves, at the base of the stems, stay dry, do not fall to the ground and point downwards. It lives both in the mountainous or coastal zones, even in sandy soils. In this case it can be mistaken for Euphorbia paralias, but the feature of the dry leaves mentioned above allows them to be distinguished.