Nord. J. Bot.

- Section of tropical taxonomy

New species of Euphorbia subgenus Tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae)

from Somalia and Oman
Susan Carter

Carter, S. 1992. New species of Euphorbia subgenus Tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) from

Somalia and Oman. - Nord. J. Bot. 12: 675-679. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107455X.

A small shrub, Euphorbia bariensis related to E. arbuscula. a sturdy shrub. E.

pachyclada related to E. consobrina and E. nubica, and one with conspicuous bracts.
E. papilionum related to E . cameronii, are described as distinctive new endemic
species from northeast Somalia. A new' endemic. E. dhofarensis related to E. Iaricu.
is also described from the Dhofar region of Oman.

S. Carter, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond. Surrey TW9 3 A B , England

Species nova affinis E. arbuscufae Ba1f.f. sed habitu

Introduction
Euphorbia subgenus Tirucalli (Boiss.) S . Carter (1985)
is characterized by succulent cylindrical branches, small
quickly deciduous leaves, prominent leaf-scars, ex-
serted capsules and carunculate seeds. Within these pa-
rameters - at least in east and northeast Africa - are two
well-defined groups of species, which have not so far
been formally separated. One is principally Madagas-
can, but closely associated with E. tirucaffiL. itself from
the African mainland. Characteristic features are glan-
dular stipules, small scarious bracts and tightly con-
gested inflorescences. It includes here the newly de-
scribed E. huriensis, related to the Socotran species E.
arbuscula. The other group contains species more
closely related to the South African E. rnauritanica L . ,
with pseudo-umbellate inflorescences, leafy bracts and
no stipules, but with the leaf-scars becoming callose,
very prominent and apparently glandular. Outside Ma-
dagascar it forms the larger group, with three new spe-
cies endemic in Somalia described in this paper.
Euphorbia bariensis S. Carter sp. nov
Type: Gillett & Watson 23370, Somalia, Bari Region, 80 km
NE of Eil, 1 km from cliffs, 8"30'N, 50"17'E, 11 Jun 1981 (K
holotype, EA, MOG isotypes).
fruticuloso compacto, ramis tenuioribus brevioribus
confertis, cyathiis minoribus, capsulis minoribus et bre-
viter pedicellatis, seminibus ovoideis differt. - Fig. 1
A-E .
Small shrub to 90 cm high, with compact branching;
branches fleshy, with a thick waxy coating; young
growth tomentose, with curled orange-brown hairs
which soon fall off. Leaves sessile, ovate, 3 x 1 .5 m m ,
fleshy, tomentose, recurved, soon deciduous; glandular
stipules minute, brown. Cymes clustered 3-5 at the
branchlet apices, subsessile, I-2-forked, the whole
cyme densely tomentose; bracts rounded, 1 x 1.5 mm.
clasping the cyathia. Cyathia 2 x 2 mm, with cup-
shaped involucres; glands 5, quite separate, transversely
elliptic, 0.5 x 1 m m , red; lobes 5 , rounded, 0.5 x 0.5
m m , margins ciliate. Male flowers: bracteoles spath-
ulate, 1.5 m m long, apices plumose; stamens not seen.
Female flower: perianth obvious as a 3-lobed rim below
the tomentose ovary; styles 2 m m long, joined to almost
halfway, with recurved distinctly bifid apices. Capsule
just exserted on a thickened pedicel 2 m m long, sub-
globose, 5.5 X 5 mm, indistinctly 3-lobed, reddish
brown. Seeds ovoid, 2.8 X 1.8 mm, with pointed apex
flattened on the ventral side, smooth, pinkish grey;
caruncle 1 m m across, yellow. - Fig. 1 A-E.

Accepted 6-2- 1992

0 NORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY
NORD. J. BOT. 12: 675-679

Nord. J . Bot. 12 ( 6 ) (1YY2) 675

 (991

Fig. 1. Species of Euphorbia. - A-E: E. buriensis. A: Habit, X 0.75. - B: Leaf, X 4.5. - C: Branch apex, x 4.5. - D: Cyathium
with immature fruit, x 4.5. - E: Seed, X 6.- F-I: E. puchycluda. F: Habit, X 0.75. - G : Fruiting cyathium, x 4.5. - H: Zapsule, x
4.5. - I: Seed, x 6. - A from Lavranos & Carter et al. 24740, B-C from Gillett & Watson 23500, D-E from Gillett & Watson
23370, F-I from Lavranos & Carter et al. 24719.

676 Nord. J . Bot. 12 ( 6 ) (1992)

Distribution and habitat. E. bariensis favours rocky
limestone slopes of northeast Somalia, with sparse low
Commiphora and mixed scrub at altitudes of 11G1340
m. The extreme northeast corner of Somalia is known
for a number of endemic species having a direct link
with the flora of Socotra. E. bariensis provides another
example, with a limited distribution in Bari Region, and
its nearest relative being E. arbuscula Balf.f., an en-
demic of Socotra. This latter species has closest affin-
ities with a group which has proliferated in Madagascar
and is closely related t o E . tirucalli L., the only species
hitherto known to be indigenous on the African main-
land north of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Remarks. E . arbuscula forms a large shrub o r small tree
2-4 m high, with thick fleshy branches. Its cyathia are
about 4 mm in diameter, producing distinctly 3-lobed
capsules to 1 cm in diameter, well exserted from the
involucre on erect pedicels about 1 cm long. The variety
montana Ba1f.f. appears to produce slightly smaller cap-
sules about 8 mm in diameter on pedicels 5 mm long,
and with ovoid instead of subglobose seeds. E. barien-
sis, in contrast, is a small compactly branched shrub
3 C 9 0 cm high, with thinly fleshy branches. Its cyathia
are only half the size, but are similarly produced in tight
clusters at the branchlet apices, and are also densely
tomentose. Capsules, however, are considerably
smaller and are only just exserted from the involucres.
Seeds most closely match those of E . arbuscula var.
montana, but again, are smaller.
Male flowers of the new species have not been seen.
It is quite possible that, like E. arbuscula and also E.
tirucalli, cyathia on each plant have a tendency towards
the development of either male or female flowers, al-
though E. tirucalli, at least, is not completely dioecious.
Collections other than type. Somalia. Bari Region: Galgallo, 64
kni SW of Bosaso, 10 Jan 1973, Bally & Melville 15843 (K);
Ah1 Mescat Mts, 10"SS'N, 49"26'E, 18 Jun 1981, Gillet &
Watson 23500 (EA, K); 9 km W of Bargal, I1"17'N, 51"01'E,
17 Nov 1986, Lavranos & Carter et al. 24740 (K, MOG).
Euphorbia pachyclada S. Carter sp. nov.
Type: Lavranos & Carter et al. 24719, Somalia, Bari Region,
Tug Yibirti, 38 km S of Bargal, 11"01'N, 51"0S'E,15 Nov 1986
(K holotype, EA isotype).
Species nova affinis E. consobrinae N. E. Br. sed ramis
multo crassioribus, bracteis involucrorum caducis, cap-
sulis subglobosis majoribus, et affinis E . nubicae N . E.
Br. sed habitu breviore, ramulis erectis crassioribus,
cymis compactis, pedunculis cyathiorum multo breviori-
bus distinguitur. - Fig. 1 F-I.
Glabrous shrub 1-1.5 m high, with erect compact
branching; branches succulent, yellowish green, 1-1.5
cm thick, sparsely covered with callose brown leaf-
scars, ultimate branchlets 3-10 mm long. Leaves not
Nord. J. Bot. 12 ( 6 ) (19Y2)
seen. Cymes congested at the branchlet apices in 3-
branched umbels surrounding a central bisexual cyath-
ium, with rays 2-6 mm long; bracts ovate, sessile, 4 x
3.5 mm. Cyathia 4.5 x 7-8 mm, with cup-shaped in-
volucres; glands 4, o r 5 4 on the central cyathium,
spreading, separate, 2.5 x 3 mm; lobes 5 , 1 x 1.5 mm,
deeply notched, margin ciliate. Male flowers: bracteoles
many, 3.5 mm long, deeply laciniate, with plumose
apices; pedicels 4 mm long; filaments 1.5 mm long.
Female flower: ovary glabrous; styles 2.5 mm long,
joined at the base, then spreading with shortly bifid
rugulose apices. Capsule just exserted on a slightly re-
curved pedicel 6 mm long, very obtusely 3-lobed to
subglobose, 7 X 9 mm, tinged with red. Seeds ovoid, 3
x 2.75 mm, shallowly tuberculate, pale brown; caruncle
1.5 mm across. - Fig. 1 F-I.
Distribution and habitat. E. pachyclada occurs on rocky
limestone slopes with very sparse scrub vegetation, at
altitudes of 1W1100 m. This sturdy shrub appears to be
endemic to the rugged limestone mountains in the ex-
treme northeast of Somalia. As well as specimens from
the two localities cited here, it has also been recorded
from the top of the escarpment 8 km west of Bargal
(Carter, photo only).
Remarks. The species is clearly a member of a distinct
group occurring in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula,
characterized by cylindrical succulent green branches
from which the leaves are quickly deciduous leaving
callose scars, and by simple pseudo-umbellate cymes.
Its inflorescence is compact, with very short rays and
small cyathia, similar to those of E. consobrina, de-
scribed from the Red Sea Hills of Sudan. Its erect
compact habit forming a small shrub, is also similar, but
its branches are very much thicker. Its capsules also
differ in being larger and very obtusely 3-lobed to al-
most subglobose, rather than distinctly 3-lobed.
Another close relative, E. nubica described from Eri-
trea, usually has a more straggling o r subscandent habit,
forming a considerably larger shrub, at least as the
species is understood in Somalia (in Eritrea it appears to
possibly lack the subscandent habit). Branches of the
new species, and especially the much shorter ultimate
branchlets bearing the more compact cymes, are thicker
in comparison. Cyme-branches are also very much shor-
ter, but the cyathia, capsules and seeds are comparable
in size, shape and surface sculpturing.
Colkcfion orher than type. Somalia. Sanaag Region: Galgallo,
64 km SSW of Bosaso, 10 Jan 1973, Bally & Melville 15845
(K).
Euphorbia papilionum S. Carter sp. nov.
Type: Thulin & Warfa 6098, Somalia, Bari Region, Al Miskat
Mts, between Toh and Bahaya, 1I018-24'N, 49"49-50'E, 26
Nov 1986 (K holotype, UPS isotype).
677
Fig. 2. Species of Euphorbia. - A-B: E. papilionurn - A:Habit, X 0.75. - B: Cyathium, with bracts, X 4.5. - C-F: E. dhofarensis.
C: Habit, x 0.75. - D: Cyathium, x 4.5. - E: Capsule, X 4.5. - F: Seed, X 4.5. - A-B from Thulin & Warfa 6098, C-F from Miller
7245.

678 Nord. J . Bot. 12 ( 6 ) (1992)

Species nova affinis E . cameronii N. E. Br. sed habitu
breviore. axillis et cicatricibus foliorum sine glandulis,
bracteis cyathiorum minoribus xanthochromis non al-
bis, cyathiis minoribus, glandulis involucrorum 4 lunatis
differt. - Fig. 2 A-B.
Compact densely branched shrub 0.5-1 m high;
branches succulent, green, ca. 5 mm thick, marked with
callose leaf-scars. Leaves sessile, ovate-lanceolate, 8-12
x 3 4 mm, quickly deciduous; stipules absent. Cymes in
terminal 2-3-branched umbels, with rays ca. 5 mm long,
or reduced to a solitary subsessile cyathium; bracts
ovate. 8 x 7 mm, yellow, conspicuous, apparently per-
sistent. Cyathia 3 x 6.5 mm, with cup-shaped invo-
lucres; glands 4, 2 x 2.5 mm, rather irregularly cres-
cent-shaped, spreading, yellow; lobes 5, rounded, 1.3 x
1 . S mm, margin denticulate, ciliate. Male flowers: brac-
teoles 2.5 m m long, deeply laciniate, apex plumose;
pedicels 3 mm long; filaments 1 mm long. Female
flower: ovary glabrous, 3-lobed, pedicellate; styles 5
mm long, joined for 2 mm, then spreading, with dis-
tinctly bifid apices. Capsule and seeds not seen. -Fig. 2
A-B.
Distribution and habitat. E. papilionum is known only
from the one location, where it occurs on stony lime-
stone slopes at an altitude of 1300 m.
Remarks. A diagnostic feature of E. cameronii is the
row of tiny glands which develop in the leaf-axil and are
prominent around the upper edge of the leaf-scar.
These glands are absent in this related new species. The
large involucral bracts of E. cumeronii are white, but
those of E. pupilionurn are much smaller and bright
yellow, together with the apical leaves surrounding the
cymes. The cyathia of this new species are also smaller,
with four instead of five distinctive crescent-shaped yel-
low glands. Styles, however, are very similar, joined in
an obvious column at the base, with spreading bifid
apices. Capsules have not been seen, but the ovary is
distinctly 3-lobed. The significant characters of the yel-
low bracts, crescent-shaped glands and long styles,
leave no doubt as to its specific status. When the type
collection was made, shrubs were in full bloom and
covered in butterflies (Junonia limnoria limnoria
(Klug)), an unusual pollinator for Euphorbia, from
which the specific epithet was derived.
Euphorbia dhofarensis S. Carter sp. nov.
Type: Miller 7245, Oman, E of Mirbat, wadi NE of Jaffa, 4
Aug 1985 ( K holotype, E isotype).
Species nova affinis E. luricae Boiss. sed ramis crassiori-
bus non strictis, cicatricibus foliorum et glandulis stip-
ularibus valde prominentibus, capsulis omnino rubris,
43 Nord J Bot. I? ( 6 )(1992)
seminibus rugosis demum cinereo-brunneis distinguitur.
- Fig. 2 C-F.
Glabrous much-branched succulent shrub to 50 cm
high; branches fleshy, cylindrical, 5-10 mm thick, pale
glaucous green, leafless on the specimens seen but with
very prominent spirally arranged leaf-scars. Leaves lan-
ceolate, ca. 5 X 2 mm (only a few seen); stipules mod-
ified as large (0.5 mm in diam.) persistent blackish
knob-like glands on either side of the leaf-scar. Cymes
terminal and axillary, I-several times forked at the
branch apices; bracts ovate, 3 X 1.5 mm, margin cili-
olate. Cyathia ca. 2.5 x 4 mm with funnel-shaped in-
volucres, reddish on the outside; glands 5 , transversely
elliptic, ca. 1 x 2 mm, green becoming red, separate;
lobes 5, transversely oblong, 0.8 x 1.2 mm, margin
toothed, ciliolate. Male flowers: bracteoles ligulate,
deeply divided, pubescent; pedicels 2.5 mm long; fil-
aments 0.8 m m long. Female flower: ovary glabrous;
styles 2.5 mm long, joined for I m m with distinctly bifid,
spreading, thickened and flattened apices. Capsule on a
thickened pedicel 1 mm long, subglobose, ca. 7 X 7
mm, green becoming red. Seeds conical with truncate
base, obscurely 4-angled, 4 X 3 mm, surface rugose.
reddish buff becoming dark greyish brown, whitish and
roughened at the ventrally flattened apex. - Fig. 2 C-F.
Distribution and habitat. E. dhofarensis appears to be
endemic to the Dhofar region of Oman, where it occurs
in stony wadis around the lower slopes of the mountains
at altitudes between 50 and 650 m.
Remarks. This new species forms a smaller shrub than is
usual with its relative E. lurica, with apical branching
more spreading and less strictly erect. At least from the
evidence of dried specimens, its branches appear to be
thicker. Leaf-scars are also more prominent and closer
together, and the glandular stipules especially are con-
siderably more conspicuous. Other significant differ-
ences are found in its fruit. Its capsules are entirely red
at maturity, instead of buff-coloured with purplish lines
along the sutures, a feature characteristic of E. larica.
Finally, its seeds are quite distinct, with a rugose surface
which is pale reddish buff becoming dark greyish
brown, instead of smooth and black.
Collections other rhan type. Oman. 25 km S of Thamrait on
Salalah road. 15 Sep 1984, Miller 6058 (E, K); just N of Jabal
Qara, 29 Jut 1985, Miller 7162 (E, K); Al Ayun. 17"17'N,
53"52'N, 8 Oct 1977. Radcliffe-Smith 5412 (K).
Acknowledgements - Grateful thanks are due to A. Radcliffe-
Smith for checking the Latin diagnoses. and to Margaret Tebbs
for the illustrations.
Reference
Carter. S. 1985. New species and taxonomic changes in Eu-
phorbia from East and Northeast tropical Africa and a new
species from Oman. - Kew Bull. 40: 809-825.
679