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Euphorbia hypericifolia

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia

graceful spurge

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Glabrous annual herbs.

Stems: Stems erect or ascending, 0.1–0.5 m long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades oblong to oblong–lanceolate, 6–35 mm long, 4–12 mm wide. Apex rounded or obtuse. Base obtuse to cordate. Surfaces glabrous. Margins serrate. Conspicuously veined. Petioles 1–1.5 mm long. Stipules connate, deltate, membranous, 1–2 mm long, sometimes ciliate on the inner edge.

Flowers: Flowers in cyathia in lateral, terminal, nearly leafless, few–flowered cymes; staminate flowers 2–20 per cyathium. involucre 0.5–1 mm high, glabrous, glands 5, elliptic to suborbicular, 0.05–0.2 mm long, appendages white to pink, rotund and usually ca. 3 times as wide as the larger glands, sometimes absent. Flowers unisexual and highly reduced. Pistillate flowers solitary, on a gynophore; staminate flowers in 5 groups or cymules, each with 1 to several flowers. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Male flower reduced to a single stamen, with an articulation at junction of pedicel and filament, subtended by slender bracteoles. Ovary superior, 3-carpellate; ovules 1 per cell, anatropous.

Fruit: Capsules subglobose; 3– angled; the angles rounded; 1–1.5 mm long; 1.2–1.5 mm in diameter; usually broadest at middle; glabrous. Seeds brown; ovoid; obtusely 4–angled; ca. 0.8 mm long; the faces wrinkled.

Ploidy: 2n = 16; 28; 56

Habitat: Low elevation; dry; disturbed sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 454 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:609 (Ku, Mi, FF, K, O, M, H [as Chamaesyce hypericifolia]); Govaerts et al. 2000:320/Yang & Berry 2011 (Syn. C. hypericifolia = E. hypericifolia); Oppenheimer 2003:11 (Mo, L); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:177 (Ka); Starr et al. 2001/Herbst 6257 BISH (Ku†, 1979); Starr & Martz 1999/Herbst 1212 BISH (FF†, 1968)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waimea; between 3 isletes towards Kawailoa On shore. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-08-21
2 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kawainui Marsh, about 1/2 mi from Pali Hwy on Quarry Rd On Quarry road. Preserved_Specimen Plants about 1/2 m tall. Flowers small and yellowish-green. Smith, L.B. 59 Oahu BISH 1976-01-12
3 Euphorbia hypericifolia Northeast of Honolulu International Airport tower. Buffelgrass-Flaveria association. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Oahu BISH 1997-04-01
4 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kipapa Gulch In waste place. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Hosaka, E.Y. 1373 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
5 Euphorbia hypericifolia Halemano, Wahiawa moderately wet pineapple field Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 417 Oahu BISH 1934-06-07
6 Euphorbia hypericifolia Oahu R.R., Dillingham Blvd., Kalihi Kai, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Plants arching, branching more or less in one plane, plant and flowers reddish or purplish-green. Fosberg, F.R. 27108 Oahu BISH 1946-10-12
7 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu, front of BYU-H sewage plant Preserved_Specimen semi-erect, 10-18, stem cylindrical; flower clusters on pedicels 1-2 long, 5 dainty white or pinkish lobes Tiu, C. 65 Oahu BISH 1975-03-03
8 Euphorbia hypericifolia Manoa Campus, U.H., Honolulu Preserved_Specimen flowers white Swarbrick, J.T. 5 Oahu BISH 1976-01-03
9 Euphorbia hypericifolia Manoa Valley roadside Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1913-06-01
10 Euphorbia hypericifolia On slopes of Pali Kapu O Keona, Kealakekua Bay On talus slopes. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-06
11 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kaunakakai, at harbor Preserved_Specimen Lawn weed. Oppenheimer, H.L. 70125 Molokai BISH 2001-07-14
12 Euphorbia hypericifolia Pali Hwy at Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Plants solitary, sparse. Flowers green, inconspicuous. Smith, L.B. 42 Oahu BISH 1976-01-07
13 Euphorbia hypericifolia Oahu R.R., Dillingham Blvd., Kalihi Kai, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Plants arching, branching more or less in one plane, plant and flowers reddish or purplish-green. Fosberg, F.R. 27107 Oahu BISH 1946-10-12
14 Euphorbia hypericifolia Mokuauia Islet, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rare to occasional. Scattered plants observed. Starr, F. 5022218 Oahu BISH 2007-02-22
15 Euphorbia hypericifolia Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen Herb 35 cm tall. BISH staff 104 Oahu BISH 2021-05-03
16 Euphorbia hypericifolia Green Island, near power building and along road to transmitter tower Preserved_Specimen occasional weed Herbst, D.R. 6257 Kure Atoll BISH 1979-01-04
17 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waimanalo, Azevedo Field, jct. Hihimanu St. and Kalanianaole Hwy Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4816 Oahu BISH 1983-06-04
18 Euphorbia hypericifolia U.H. Campus, Moore Hall Preserved_Specimen Petal-like structures cyathia are white or rose pink. Milky latex. Lau, J. 1236 Oahu BISH 1985-07-22
19 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kahuku Preserved_Specimen Herb. Hume, E.P. 240 Oahu BISH 1931-10-15
20 Euphorbia hypericifolia ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Found growing on the side of the old railroad. Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-08-15
21 Euphorbia hypericifolia Along road leading to Kaluanui Valley Preserved_Specimen Weed. Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
22 Euphorbia hypericifolia Molokai Preserved_Specimen serrated leaves Shinsato, H. Molokai BISH 1958-12-01
23 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waiawa Valley, Oahu, T. Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Topping, D.L. 2960 Oahu BISH 1924-12-21
24 Euphorbia hypericifolia Lookout Center Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1962-03-03
25 Euphorbia hypericifolia CCH Oriental Garden Preserved_Specimen weed with tiny white flower 38 Oahu BISH 1967-05-02
26 Euphorbia hypericifolia Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, A. Oahu BISH 1930-07-21
27 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Pope, W.T. 3 Oahu BISH 1924-08-01
28 Euphorbia hypericifolia Tern Islet, SW quarter Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1212 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1968-08-31
29 Euphorbia hypericifolia Near Range HQTS. Kahuku Military Reservation Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 1305 Oahu BISH 1976-11-26
30 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kure Atoll Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1863 Kure Atoll BISH 1961-09-12
31 Euphorbia hypericifolia Jeep road between Wahiawa Bog (Kanaele Swamp) and trail to TV relay tower on Mt. Kahili Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5197 Kauai BISH 1983-12-22
32 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kure Atoll Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1904 Kure Atoll BISH 1961-09-12
33 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu, Diamond Head Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 3 Oahu BISH 1958-04-05
34 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waimanalo Gulch Preserved_Specimen Topping, D.L. 0.3175 Oahu BISH 1925-06-07
35 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kahakaaulana Island, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6076 Oahu BISH 1978-04-30
36 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waipio along road in abandoned pineapple field Preserved_Specimen erect, brittle, graceful about 2', with white flowers and milky sap Herbst, D.R. 746 Oahu BISH 1967-11-27
37 Euphorbia hypericifolia Dowsett Highlands, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1950-09-10
38 Euphorbia hypericifolia Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.H. Oahu BISH 1933-05-16
39 Euphorbia hypericifolia Hulopoe Beach Park Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 40123 Lanai BISH 2001-04-15
40 Euphorbia hypericifolia University of Hawaii, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Forbes, A. 60 Oahu BISH 1929-09-13
41 Euphorbia hypericifolia Schofield Road Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1929-02-10
42 Euphorbia hypericifolia East Maui, Kipahulu At Oheo in upper parking lot Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 2372 Maui BISH 2016-08-24
43 Euphorbia hypericifolia Tern Islet; North side of the runway Plant was common in most of the area comprising this small island. Preserved_Specimen Weed species. Long, C.R. 2498 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1964-09-28
44 Euphorbia hypericifolia Lihur Plantation road between Hanamaulu and Hanahanapuni Growing along Lihur Plantation haul cane road on dirt banks. Preserved_Specimen Found with Paspalum, Euphorbia geniculata. Ishikawa, S. 281 Kauai BISH 1973-08-21
45 Euphorbia hypericifolia Near Niu Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2445 Oahu BISH 1917-04-05
46 Euphorbia hypericifolia Hauula clay loam Preserved_Specimen yellow flowers Hai, N. 48 Oahu BISH 1975-04-05
47 Euphorbia hypericifolia Mokuleia along railroad tracks Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11030 Oahu BISH 1937-01-21
48 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kaawa coral loam Preserved_Specimen 1-2', milky sap, erect, pinkish stem which breaks easily, long tap root Brandow, C.T. 37 Oahu BISH 1967-05-05
49 Euphorbia hypericifolia base of Hauula mountain range along the jeep trail passing the third gate near soya bean, papaya cultivated area Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 213 Oahu BISH 1972-08-22
50 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu, Kamehameha Hwy roadside, sandy clay Preserved_Specimen semi-erect, 10-18, stem cylindrical; flower clusters on pedicels 1-2 long, 5 dainty white or pinkish lobes Tiu, C. 64 Oahu BISH 1975-02-08
51 Euphorbia hypericifolia East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, around Piilanihale Heiau disturbed area between Pandanus forest and lawn area Preserved_Specimen common erect herb. Leaves dark green above with some reddish color along margins, below paler. Floral appendages white fading pink. Fruit reddish-brown Flynn, T.W. 2437 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
52 Euphorbia hypericifolia Batis meadow west of Barbers Point deep draft harbor among other adventives; dry and disturbed Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 409 Oahu BISH 1990-05-01
53 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu, BYU-H farm kaolite clay Preserved_Specimen erect, smooth, 1-2 ft. Betham, R.F. 15 Oahu BISH 1980-12-10
54 Euphorbia hypericifolia Laie, BYU-Hawaii kaolite clay Preserved_Specimen herb with tiny white flowers, clustered at leaf axils Andrews, S. 8 Oahu BISH 1980-10-09
55 Euphorbia hypericifolia Waiawa, Oahu Near gov road. Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 56 Oahu BISH 1926-08-19
56 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kopala, Kaluakoi pineapple field Preserved_Specimen weed St.John, H. 12462 Molokai BISH 1932-12-22
57 Euphorbia hypericifolia UH Manoa Campus, weedy edge of parking lot off of East-West Road near St. John Sunny unmowed area Preserved_Specimen Common Faccenda, K. 1707 Oahu BISH 2021-02-10
58 Euphorbia hypericifolia South Kona, road to Hookena Beach disturbed roadside in Leucaena/Pithecellobium shrubland Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5936 Hawaii BISH 1988-03-10
59 Euphorbia hypericifolia CCH campus, Women's Dorm 1 sandy clay Preserved_Specimen erect herb 15-50 cm, flowers are purple and white Lee, W. Oahu BISH 1967-06-15
60 Euphorbia hypericifolia Kapiolani Blvd. near Pumehana St., Honolulu Growing in mostly shady area near sidewoalk. Preserved_Specimen Annual herb, erect, slightly drooping, ca. 10-12 cm tall; gland appendages white. Only two plants observed. Ross, M.C. 1865 Oahu BISH 2023-01-01
61 Euphorbia hypericifolia Mahaulepu, Kipu Kai side on bluffs after the furthest East accessible beach on walls to the East. Costal strand. W/ Caparis, scaevola, Chamaesyce degeneri, Fimbristylis, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Heliotropium anomalum, Jacquemontia ovalifolia, Sida fallax, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Chamaesyce albomarginata. Preserved_Specimen leaves w/ purple tint to margins and apex and serrated margins. Small herb, stems upright then droopping. Flowers clustered, white. Stem red w/ wedge shaped bracts at nodes. occasional Tangalin, N. 763 Kauai BISH 2006-05-24
62 Euphorbia hypericifolia Honolulu, Kolowalu St vacant lot on ground recently bulldozed; in full sun; amongst other weeds Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1525 Oahu BISH 1985-10-16
63 Euphorbia hypericifolia Tantalus Dr., vacinity of 5th switchback (ca .5km above housing development) Sunny roadside Preserved_Specimen Common Faccenda, K. 1868 Oahu BISH 2021-05-22
64 Euphorbia hypericifolia Laie stoney clay Preserved_Specimen Beckham, N. 48 Oahu BISH 1967-04-10
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