Lying on the pavement

Post by **MWP admin** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:05 pm

I have came accross this plant while taking the dog for a walk. I have no idea what could it be, because I am not familiar with its family.

No flowers at the moment.

Totally prostrate lying flat on the ground.

Coming up from gaps between pavement and wall

Plenty of it at this site

DerAndereMicha · Post by **DerAndereMicha** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:24 pm

I think this is Euphorbia peplis.

Post by **MWP admin** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 9:49 pm

It could be but this plant is described to grow in sandy places and near the sea. This was found in the most central part of Malta (St.Venera)!

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:29 am

I think it is an ornamental Crassula, falling down from a flowerpot, survived because its easily rooting at the nodes...

wolf · Post by **wolf** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:25 pm

could it be polycarpon tetraphyllum ?

wolf

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:10 pm

no no no no

Post by **MWP admin** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:42 am

The plant is in flower now and I think it is Euphorbia chamaesyce. The 'flower' appandages have outer half white to the - eye.

Sdravko · Post by **Sdravko** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:23 am

definitely E chamaesyce group but there a few other (quite rare) sp of that group in Malta so bring plant

Edwin Lanfranco · Post by **Edwin Lanfranco** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:33 pm

It seems to be Euphorbia [Chamaesyce] prostrata which is spreading rapidly in the past few years

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:04 am

Well, met with one of the chamaesyce group - probably Euphorbia chamaesyce proper in several areas especially near fields. Quite a cute tiny plant.

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:15 pm

yes, Pine, yours is Euphorbia prostrata, but I doubt that adminis pics from Dec. 6 is it, too!

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:12 pm

How do you distinguish between E. chamaesyce and E. prostrata?
10x Profs

Post by **MWP admin** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:24 am

Lanfranco wrote: " Euphorbia [Chamaesyce] prostrata "

What does he exactly meant? Euphorbia chamaesyce subsp. prostrata? What is about the prostrata group that Sdravko and Lanfranco are talking about?

I taken another photo of this plant and I am rather sure it is (as described in Haslam) E. chamaesyce. Unf I have to return to Malta to upload it here.

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:38 am

Euphorbia prostrata Ait.
English: Small Spurge, Prostrate Spurge, Prostrate Sandmat
Maltese: Gemmugħa
Main Synonyms: Euphorbia chamaesyce auct. non L., Chamaesyce prostrata (Ait.) Small
Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Country of origin: America (naturalised in Europe and the Mediterranean region).
Found in: Disturbed sites, pavements, road-sides, flower-beds (e.g. Luqa International Airport).
Occurrence in the Maltese Islands: Frequent, common in some areas.
Flowering time: Late spring-late summer.
Description: An annual, with prostrate habit (to 1cm high),10-30cm long creeping stems, greatly branched. The foliage is small, leaves are opposite, semi-succulent. Inflorescences (so-called cyathia) in leaf axils are very small and pinkish-white.
Remarks: The Purple Spurge, Euphorbia peplis L. (Maltese: Gemmugħa tar-Ramel), is very similar. It is a very rare member of the Maltese strand vegetation (sand dunes). Stems are commonly purplish-red and more fleshy.

sorry for this copy from the Malta Flora manuscript but I am in a hurry (just leaving to Malta for a week).

robcar · Post by **robcar** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:58 am

So are you actually in Malta right now?

Post by **MWP admin** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:11 pm

Two questions:

1)
What is the: "Malta Flora manuscript " Where can it be seen/obtained/sold?

2) Maybe this one for robcar to reply upon: What this actually mean "auct. non L.,"

Thanks

sandra · Post by **sandra** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:29 pm

I think he means the manuscript of the book of the Maltese Flora that is due to come out soon.

I'm no taxonomist but I've found this definition which you might find useful.

auct. non. = abbreviation for auctorum non, meaning not of authors, used when citing a misapplied name.

L. Stands for Linnaeus

this web page has an exhaustive list of abbreviations which you might find useful

http://www.briancoad.com/Dictionary/A.htm

Ive learnt a few things myself in the process!

Post by **MWP admin** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:53 am

Thanks sandra that link is quite useful for us learners. Still however cant really figure out what is intended by "auct. non L.,"

Main Synonyms: Euphorbia chamaesyce auct. non L.,

So would it mean that that the name Euphorbia chamaesyce is not given by Carl von Linne but a misapplied name by some other author?

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu May 03, 2007 5:35 pm

I think he means the manuscript of the book of the Maltese Flora that is due to come out soon.

I ask again what is this manuscirpt of Maltese Flora? Has it been published? Whoare the authors?

I also heard taht Timothy Tabone published his long-awaited book? Any confirmations?

MaltaWildplants.com FORUM

Lying on the pavement

Lying on the pavement

But it grows far from sea!

Euphorbia chamaesyce