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Sun Spurge
Euphorbia helioscopia
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An annual herb growing in fields and along roadsides. White milky latex exudes when the stem is cut. The upper leaves spread in a whorl-like arrangement with distinctive cyathia (cup-shaped inflorescences) at the center.
Identification Points
- βWhite milky latex exudes from damaged stems and leaves (toxic)
- βLeaves spatulate with rounded tips and fine serrations
- βCyathium: a cup-shaped involucre containing one female and several male flowers
Habitat
Fields, roadsides, and wastelands
Season
MarchβMay (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Petal fusion
No petals
Habitat
Roadside
Petal count
3 petals
Stipules
Present
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Compound type
Palmate
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionγγ¦γγ€γ°γ΅η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Malpighiales > Euphorbiaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (about 90β80 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
The milky latex of Euphorbiaceae evolved as a defense against herbivores. The cyathium is a highly specialized inflorescence formed by the fusion of flowers and bracts.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification