Euphorbia missurica | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Euphorbia |
Species: | E. missurica
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Binomial name | |
Euphorbia missurica | |
Synonyms[2] | |
List
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Euphorbia missurica, commonly called prairie sandmat,[3] or Missouri spurge,[4] is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found primarily in area of the Great Plains.[5] Its natural habitat is in dry, often calcareous areas, including glades, bluffs, and open woodlands.[6][7]
Euphorbia missurica is an annual[7] growing from a taproot. The branching stems are most often decumbent (lying on the ground). The small flowers are in cyathia which are clustered into terminal cymes and there are petal-like appendages. Each cyathium has 29-48 male flowers and a single female flower.[8] The ovaries and capsules are hairless.[4] Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer.
Euphorbia missurica grows in dry, sunny, sparsely vegetated habitats.[8] It is found growing on rocky or sandy soils in dry prairies and waste places and roadsides.[9] Its distribution includes the US states of: AR , CO , IA , KS , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WY.[9]
In Minnesota it is listed as a special concern species, where it has in the past been found in Ottertail County on sandy shorelines.[8]