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Euphorbia degeneri

Sherff (1936)

This name is accepted

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

‘ākoko, ‘akoko [akoko], ‘ekoko [ekoko], koko, kōkōmālei [kokomalei]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Subshrubs.

Stems: Stems prostrate to decumbent, 0.05–0.4 m long, nodose, often tortuous and gnarled, pilose to villous, flowering branches 1–1.5 mm in diameter.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite, distichous. Blades orbicular or elliptic to reniform, 5–20(–25) mm long, 5–15(–25) mm wide. Apex rounded to obtuse, retuse, sometimes mucronulate. Base cordate. Surfaces glabrous or pubescent at basal margin to pilose, glaucous. Margins entire. Petioles 0.5–1 mm long, villous. Stipules rounded–triangular, 1–2 mm long, glabrous or villous, erose, ciliate.

Flowers: Flowers in cyathia solitary primarily at the ends of the branches, peduncles 0.5–1 mm long, pilose to villous. involucre campanulate, 1.5–2 mm high, 1.5–2 mm wide, glabrous to pilose, glands 4, green, glabrous to pilose, unappendaged. 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; styles green to white, bifid ½ their length, 0.5–1 mm long, sparsely pubescent; stigma slightly thickened.

Fruit: Capsules green; (1.5–)2–2.5 mm long; glabrate to pilose; gynophores recurved; exserted 1.5–2 mm from involucre; pilose or rarely glabrous. Seeds white; 1.5–1.8 mm long; rugose.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Coastal and strand vegetation.

Elevation Range: 0–50 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Endemic
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Endemic
O'ahu Endemic
Molokai Endemic
Lana'i Endemic
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Extirpated

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Bot. Gaz. 97: 583 (1936)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:607 (Ni, K, O, Mo, M, H [as Chamaesyce degeneri]); Govaerts et al. 2000:709/Yang & Berry 2011 (Syn. C. degeneri = E. degeneri); Oppenheimer 2016:24 (L); Jonathan Plissner pers. comm. 2025 (Note: recently introduced to Mi for restoration use, not yet established); Degener 8099b BISH (H†, 1930)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Euphorbia degeneri Waialua beach Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10100 Oahu BISH 1911-05-01
2 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1078 Oahu BISH 1909-01-26
3 Euphorbia degeneri Mokulua, South Island, Lanikai Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5978 Oahu BISH 1978-02-07
4 Euphorbia degeneri Outer slope of Leahi Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 106535 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
5 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi, west end of Molokai Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 7078 Molokai BISH 1910-03-01
6 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi, west end of Molokai Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 7078 Molokai BISH 1910-03-01
7 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 17 Oahu BISH 1950-02-25
8 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 612 Molokai BISH 1912-03-24
9 Euphorbia degeneri Kawela Bay Preserved_Specimen Topping, D.L. 3294 Oahu BISH 1926-10-09
10 Euphorbia degeneri Kaupo Beach Park Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 620313013 Oahu BISH 1962-03-13
11 Euphorbia degeneri Mokuleia Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 12160 Oahu BISH 1936-10-01
12 Euphorbia degeneri Halawa Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 461 Oahu BISH 1909-06-01
13 Euphorbia degeneri North shore, coral sand ridges along beach between Kaena Point and Kaiaka Bay Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242206 Oahu BISH 1924-09-04
14 Euphorbia degeneri Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8097 Oahu BISH 1926-10-25
15 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 17 Oahu BISH 1950-02-25
16 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1649 Oahu BISH 1911-02-20
17 Euphorbia degeneri Beach beyond Lighthouse Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. 1179 Oahu BISH 1908-06-11
18 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi Beach Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-05-17
19 Euphorbia degeneri Makapuu Preserved_Specimen Lane, I.E. Oahu BISH 1959-01-01
20 Euphorbia degeneri Molokai Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Molokai BISH 1909-01-01
21 Euphorbia degeneri Between Diamond Head and Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-12-04
22 Euphorbia degeneri Between Diamond Head and Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-12-04
23 Euphorbia degeneri Beach of Koloa Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Kauai BISH 1956-02-01
24 Euphorbia degeneri Laniloa Point Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-07-31
25 Euphorbia degeneri Laniloa Preserved_Specimen Cooke, C.M. Oahu BISH 1919-02-01
26 Euphorbia degeneri Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station, on beach facing Kailua Bay near Nuupia Ponds Preserved_Specimen Hughes, E. Oahu BISH 1990-05-22
27 Euphorbia degeneri Oahu Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 106 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
28 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi Beach Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-05-17
29 Euphorbia degeneri Mahaulepu Preserved_Specimen Lydgate, J.M. Kauai BISH
30 Euphorbia degeneri Ilio Point Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-05-17
31 Euphorbia degeneri Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen MacCaughey, V. Oahu BISH
32 Euphorbia degeneri Ilio Point Preserved_Specimen Pekelo Jr., N. 11 Molokai BISH 1973-01-04
33 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head, north and northwest rim Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3223 Oahu BISH 1960-03-05
34 Euphorbia degeneri Koko Head Preserved_Specimen MacCaughey, V. 12923 Oahu BISH
35 Euphorbia degeneri Just east of Kaena Point On windswept talus among Lipochaeta, Eragrostis, Ipomoea, etc. Preserved_Specimen Rarely 5 dm. high. Degener, O. 24070 Oahu BISH 1956-04-10
36 Euphorbia degeneri Mokapu Beach Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Spreading plant. Fosberg, F.R. 12843 Oahu BISH 1936-01-26
37 Euphorbia degeneri Just east of Kaena Point On windswept talus among Lipochaeta, Eragrostis, Ipomoea, etc. Preserved_Specimen Rarely 5 dm. high. Degener, O. 24070 Oahu BISH 1956-04-10
38 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Rocky slopes and sand, rocky shore with tidepools. (Algae=Acetabularia noted in tidepools.) Preserved_Specimen Common. Stone, B.C. 2720 Oahu BISH 1959-01-27
39 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Spreading subshrub; leaves conspicuously 2-ranked. Fosberg, F.R. 13142 Oahu BISH 1936-05-31
40 Euphorbia degeneri Eastern shore of Oahu, Waimanalo Bay Low coral (?) sand dunes along shore of bay. Preserved_Specimen Half shrub. Harris, J.A. 242142 Oahu BISH 1924-08-26
41 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi, sun-exposed sand in proposed mining tract (parcel 8) Restricted to clearings in Prosopis-dominated terrain. Preserved_Specimen Completely prostrate. Takeuchi, W.N. 2967 Molokai BISH 1986-10-30
42 Euphorbia degeneri Koloa Distr., S coast of island, Manaloa Point 1.25 km. due west of Lawai Bay, easternmost of two points Degraded coastal vegetation with Sida fallax, Jacquemontia, invaded by Leucaena, Casuarina, Atriplex semibaccata, and alien grassland. Localized population of ca. 50 plants on south-facing basalt cliff. Endemic. Preserved_Specimen Subshrub 15-20 cm. tall, branches prostrate-spreading, leaves succulent, light glaucous green, appearing distichous. Cyathia green. Lorence, D.H. 7623 Kauai BISH 1995-01-15
43 Euphorbia degeneri Laie Top of beach. Preserved_Specimen Spreading subshrub; leaves 2-ranked. Fosberg, F.R. 14185 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
44 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu South rim, dry ridge. Preserved_Specimen Shrub up to 0.5 m. tall. Latex not abundant. Fosberg, F.R. 13888 Oahu BISH 1937-05-28
45 Euphorbia degeneri 1.5 mi west of Moomomi Beach Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Aidem, J. Molokai BISH 1972-02-17
46 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Rocky south rim. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate or up to 2 ft. tall. St.John, H. 10541 Oahu BISH 1930-05-10
47 Euphorbia degeneri 200 m. northwest of Makapuu Beach On sand. Preserved_Specimen Subshrub to 0.2 m. tall. Lamoureux, C.H. 192 Oahu BISH 1954-04-17
48 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Sand dunes near sea level. Preserved_Specimen Common; branches sprawling to prostrate; cyathial glands greenish, stigmas pinkish. Webster, G.L. 13841 Oahu BISH 1968-06-22
49 Euphorbia degeneri Mahaulepu Lithified sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 722 Kauai BISH 1984-01-04
50 Euphorbia degeneri Kaupuu Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen 12 in. tall. Christensen, C. 145 Niihau BISH 1977-02-12
51 Euphorbia degeneri Kekepa Island [Kaneohe Bay] Kekepa Island is a raised limestone reef. Preserved_Specimen growing in soil pockets or in thin soil layer over base limestone. Herbst, D.R. 5853 Oahu BISH 1976-06-06
52 Euphorbia degeneri Waimanalo Roadside, on beach. Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub, 40+ cm. high. Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1935-10-13
53 Euphorbia degeneri Kalanihale, 0.125 mi S of Puukole Pt. In sand dunes near beach. Preserved_Specimen Deliquescent shrub 1-4 dm. tall. St.John, H. 22712 Niihau BISH 1947-08-11
54 Euphorbia degeneri Laie Seashore, in sand. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate shrub-herb. Hume, E.P. 300 Oahu BISH 1931-11-15
55 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point In sand. Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1398 Oahu BISH 1930-12-14
56 Euphorbia degeneri Windblown east (Kalawao) side of Kalaupapa peninsula Associates: Sida, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Portulaca lutea, Lantana. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate shrub. Many scattered individuals. Gagné, W.C. 679 Molokai BISH 1973-08-15
57 Euphorbia degeneri Bluff overlooking Makapuu Beach, inner side Rocks makai of lookout point. Preserved_Specimen Occasional. Stone, B.C. 2739 Oahu BISH 1959-03-29
58 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Growing on sandy beach with Scaevola, hinahina, Cenchrus, etc., on oceanside of road. Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. 79 Oahu BISH 1956-01-29
59 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Rocky south rim. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate or up to 2 ft. tall. St.John, H. 10541 Oahu BISH 1930-05-10
60 Euphorbia degeneri Mokulua, S islet, Kailua Steep crumbly slope. Preserved_Specimen Spreading plants; glands greenish yellow. Fosberg, F.R. 12890 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
61 Euphorbia degeneri Lanikai, Kailua Sand flat. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 8882 Oahu BISH 1932-10-19
62 Euphorbia degeneri Kekepa, Oahu especially on summit. Preserved_Specimen Occasional. First collected during this survey. Starr, F. 504188 Oahu BISH 2005-04-18
63 Euphorbia degeneri Niulii, Kohala Along shore. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8099 Hawaii BISH 1930-03-23
64 Euphorbia degeneri In Diamond Head Crater Dry slopes and rim. Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1449 Oahu BISH 1931-01-22
65 Euphorbia degeneri Malekahana In sand, along beach. Preserved_Specimen Cowan, R.S. 407 Oahu BISH 1946-12-01
66 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Crater rim, above west tunnel Along crater rim, growing along path in open, exposed areas. Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 408 Oahu BISH 1978-11-23
67 Euphorbia degeneri Kailua Sea coast, sandy. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling herb; flower inconspicuous. Wilder, G.P. 87 Oahu BISH 1924-04-07
68 Euphorbia degeneri Koolau Poko District; Mokapu Peninsula Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Pyramid Rock Beach Occasional on dry low slopes behind the beach. Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub with a milky sap. Herbst, D.R. 9734 Oahu BISH 1995-12-05
69 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Sand dune. Preserved_Specimen Plant spreading; leaves 2-ranked. Lactiferous. Fosberg, F.R. 13598 Oahu BISH 1937-02-21
70 Euphorbia degeneri Makapuu Head, Maunalua Upper beach. Basalt soil. Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7068 Oahu BISH 1934-07-13
71 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi Beach area In sand just back of beach. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2952 Molokai BISH 1973-04-03
72 Euphorbia degeneri Kahuku Beach Widely distributed on sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Tiu, C. 57 Oahu BISH 1975-02-08
73 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi Preserve sand dunes Preserved_Specimen herb to 8 cm Annable, C.R. 3799 Molokai BISH 1998-02-08
74 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi sand dunes Sandy ledge on bluff. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate subshrub; sap milky. Fosberg, F.R. 13442 Molokai BISH 1936-12-26
75 Euphorbia degeneri Outer mauka rim of Diamond Head Rooted in shallow pockets of soil on consolidated tuff. Preserved_Specimen From two woody plants branching laterally from 6 in. upright stalks. Takeuchi, W.N. 51 Oahu BISH 1984-01-13
76 Euphorbia degeneri Laewahie Vegetation: Sporobolus, Heliotropium, Sida, Panicum, Heteropogon, Ipomoea, Waltheria, Nama, Prosopis, Eragrostis Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 41517 Lanai BISH 2015-04-07
77 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Growing in dry sand dune area. Preserved_Specimen Low shrub. Herbst, D.R. 769 Oahu BISH 1967-12-06
78 Euphorbia degeneri 100 yds. S of Kahuku Hospital Sandy clay soil; slope flat. Preserved_Specimen Small, diffuse, prostrate herb. McCulloch, R. 12 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
79 Euphorbia degeneri South rim of [Diamond Head] Crater - lowest area. Dry exposed hillside overlooking ocean. Assoc. w/ Euphorbia, Waltheria, Heteropogon, Sida, Bidens, Acacia ______, Leucena. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 460 Oahu BISH 1967-04-24
80 Euphorbia degeneri Near Sisal Along beach in arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8067 Molokai BISH 1928-04-19
81 Euphorbia degeneri Kalani, Kaluakoi On coral sandstone. Preserved_Specimen Branches nearly prostrate, lvs pale below. St.John, H. 23484 Molokai BISH 1948-12-24
82 Euphorbia degeneri Honolulu, Diamond Head Xeric scrub along east and north upper slopes and rim. Growing along edge of crater on outside lip exposed to wind. Preserved_Specimen Common; branches spreading, woody; young leaves ±red-t.; cyathial glands greenish to reddish. Webster, G.L. 13828 Oahu BISH 1968-06-21
83 Euphorbia degeneri Kahuku; Turtle Bay Coastal shoreline; sandy soil; 1% slope. Preserved_Specimen Leaves succulent; flowers small, yellow. Sanchez, S. 11 Oahu BISH 1986-01-21
84 Euphorbia degeneri Kahuku Coast behind wildlife refuge; sandy soil, 2% slope. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling matlike succulent; flowers small, pale yellowish. Smith, M. 32 Oahu BISH 1986-04-08
85 Euphorbia degeneri Mahaulepu Near beach. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 89 Kauai BISH 1969-01-25
86 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Spreading subshrub; leaves conspicuously 2-ranked. Fosberg, F.R. 13142 Oahu BISH 1936-05-31
87 Euphorbia degeneri Makahoa Point, near Kahuku In sand overlying raised limestone reef platform. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-05-09
88 Euphorbia degeneri Near Sisal Along beach in arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8067 Molokai BISH 1928-04-19
89 Euphorbia degeneri Queen's Beach Rocky, sandy coastal plain. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5335 Oahu BISH 1984-02-19
90 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi, northeast corner of proposed sand mining tract (parcel 8) With Heliotropium, Jacquemontia, and Ipomoea. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2968 Molokai BISH 1986-10-30
91 Euphorbia degeneri Kamala Point, Mahaulepu Common in sand and calcareous deposits back of beach. Preserved_Specimen Stipules and stalks of capsule and cyathia are pilose; young stems pubescent. Herbst, D.R. 2163 Kauai BISH 1971-09-30
92 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Low perennial herb common along road near Kaena Point. Long, C.R. 2211 Oahu BISH 1964-08-21
93 Euphorbia degeneri Makapuu Head, easternmost Oahu In pockets of soil among lava blocks, with Lipochaeta integrifolia, Lycium sandwicense, Sida fallax, Scaevola taccada. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling shrublet, to 2 ft. diam.; leaves glaucous, turning reddish, succulent. Carlquist, S. 2377 Oahu BISH 1966-10-05
94 Euphorbia degeneri Kalani (Moomomi), Kaluakoi On sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Dwarfed by drought. St.John, H. 25153 Molokai BISH 1953-12-21
95 Euphorbia degeneri Honolulu, Diamond Head Crater Dry steep slope. Preserved_Specimen Shrub .5 m. tall; latex not abundant. Fosberg, F.R. 13880 Oahu BISH 1937-05-28
96 Euphorbia degeneri Bishop Museum Grown in full sun. Preserved_Specimen A subshrub branching at the base; 15 cm. tall. Lau, J. 1365 Oahu BISH 1985-08-27
97 Euphorbia degeneri Mokapu Peninsula, Pyramid Rock, Heeia Flats, Heleloa Sand flat. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 10563 Oahu BISH 1933-03-25
98 Euphorbia degeneri Mokulua, S islet, Kailua Steep crumbly slope. Preserved_Specimen Spreading plants; glands greenish yellow. Fosberg, F.R. 12890 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
99 Euphorbia degeneri W Maui, Punalau Grassy clay slope near sea. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 12505 Maui BISH 1939-07-30
100 Euphorbia degeneri Waialua beach Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10100 Oahu BISH 1911-05-01
101 Euphorbia degeneri Waimanalo Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8099 Oahu BISH 1923-04-08
102 Euphorbia degeneri Northern end of Mokapu Peninsula On high dunes of shell fragments. Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242074 Oahu BISH 1924-08-20
103 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head crater Preserved_Specimen Shrub 30-50 cm. tall. St.John, H. 1350 Oahu BISH 1930-05-11
104 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2019 Oahu BISH 1895-03-28
105 Euphorbia degeneri W Maui, Mokolea Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 316 Maui BISH 1913-02-01
106 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi sandhills Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 690 Molokai BISH 1922-07-26
107 Euphorbia degeneri Diamond Head crater Preserved_Specimen Shrub 30-50 cm. tall. St.John, H. 1350 Oahu BISH 1930-05-11
108 Euphorbia degeneri Queen's Beach Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 121 Oahu BISH 1982-01-28
109 Euphorbia degeneri Kalaupapa; coast, E of lighthouse Preserved_Specimen subshrub Wysong, M.L. 460 Molokai BISH 2004-11-18
110 Euphorbia degeneri Kawailoa On beach. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1929-07-14
111 Euphorbia degeneri Kaena, beach 2 mi west of Kawaihapai Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 9983 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
112 Euphorbia degeneri Ka Lae Paoo, Mahaulepu Sandy beach. Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 731 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
113 Euphorbia degeneri Kahuku, near beach Preserved_Specimen Plants luxuriant after rainy season. Bishop, B. Oahu BISH 1963-06-02
114 Euphorbia degeneri Kahuku Point, near beach Preserved_Specimen Leaves pale green, some bright red beneath. Bishop, B. Oahu BISH 1961-01-02
115 Euphorbia degeneri Koko Head Preserved_Specimen MacCaughey, V. 12923 Oahu BISH
116 Euphorbia degeneri Moomomi sandhills Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 531 Molokai BISH 1922-07-26
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