Euphorbiaceae
Spurge Family
Euphorbia corollata L.
- Stem: perennial; 2’ to 3’ tall; unbranched below the inflorescence; smooth.
- Leaves: alternate below, opposite in the inflorescence; oval with rounded bases and tips, sessile; 1 1/2” by 1/2”; smooth margins; smooth above and below.
- Inflorescence: becoming much branched to 1’ tall by 1 1/2’ wide at maturity; branching repeatedly from below opening flowers (cyme).
- Flowers: “flower” is a cup (1/16” wide) with five white petal-like bracts (3/32” long) on the margin, within the cup are several male flowers, each with a single stamen, and a stalked female flower consisting of a single pistil with a three-lobed ovary; flowering from early July to late August.
- Fruits: seedpods are three-lobed capsules 3/16” in diameter on a curved stalk, the capsule thus hanging over the edge of the “flower cup”; each lobe contains one seed; seeds are “shot” from the capsule upon maturity; fruiting begins in early August.
- Habitat: common on dry and sandy prairies; also on mesic prairies and roadsides.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
