Volume 8 > Part 1 > Year 2005 > Page 276 > Euphorbiaceae > Euphorbia

8. Euphorbia hirta L.wfo-0000962575

Sp. Pl.: 454. 1753, Roxb., Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 3: 472. 1832; Ridl., Fl. Malay Penins. 3: 181. 1924; Burkill, Dict. Econ. Prod. Malay Penins. 1: 978. 1935; M.R.Hend., Malay. Wild Fl.: 462, fig. 415 A, B. 1959; Radcl.-Sm., Kew Bull. 26: 264. 1972; Whitmore, Tree Fl. Malaya 2: 96. 1973; C.S.Chun, Limestone Fl. Malaya; P.H.Hô, Cayco Viêtnam 2. 1: 361.pl. 4671. 1992; J.S.Ma, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 44(3): 44, pl. 8, fig. 5–8. 1997.— Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp., Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 2: 303. 1909.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Herb, up to 45 cm high, erect to prostrate, branched. Indumentum consisting of erect, yellowish-brown hairs to 1.5 mm long and shorter, adpressed, pale hairs, usually very distinct. Stipules free, ca 1 mm long. Leaves: petioles 1–2 mm long; opposite; sometimes reddish; blades irregularly ovate-elliptic, ca 1.2–4 by 0.6–1.8 cm, base distinctly oblique, margin serrate with teeth ca 1 mm apart, apex acute, brighter below; side veins in 3–5 pairs, distinct, triplinerved. Cyathia green, often tinged reddish, ca 20-50 grouped in axillary capitate clusters [1–3(–6) clusters per axil] with the bracts filiform and 0.5–1 mm long; peduncle of clusters 5–16 mm long; involucre 0.7–0.8 mm long; glands 4, ca 0.1 by 0.15 mm, with narrow, entire appendages ca 0.2 by 0.3 mm; stigmas 0.25–0.3 mm, only slightly bifid apically. Fruits with a pedicel of 0.4–0.5 mm; schizocarp ca 0.9 by 1.2 mm, sulcate, distinctly pubescent. Seeds 0.6–0.7 by 0.5 mm, reddish, smooth, ecarunculate.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan; NORTH-EASTERN: Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Bua Lum Phu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdaharn, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen; EASTERN: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin; SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan; CENTRAL: Lop Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Samut Prakan; SOUTH-EASTERN: Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri; PENINSULAR: Surat Thani, Trang, Satun, Songkhla.

Distribution : Worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, and probably of American origin but naturalized in Asia (up to China) for a long time (type of unknown origin).

Ecology : One of the most common weeds in Thailand, at roadsides, railway lines, on clearings, in plantations and rice fields, disturbed evergreen, dry deciduous and swampy forests, open grasslands, along streams, often on heavily disturbed places with severe trampling, usually sunny and exposed; on sandy soil, limestone, granite or concrete; sea level up to 1,200 m alt. Flowering and fruiting: the whole year through.

Vernacular : Ya nam muek (หญ้าน้ำหมึก)(Northern); ya-lang-ueng (หญ้าอึ่ง)(Shan-Mae Hong Son); nam nom ratchasi (น้ำนมราชสีห์), nom ratchasi (นมราชสีห์), phak khom daeng (ผักโขมแดง)(Central).

CommonName : Garden spurge.

Uses: The juice of fresh stem or leaves is put directly on fresh or infected wounds by the Karen. A decoction of dried and boiled plants is drunken for stomach and intestinal ulcers (White Hmong).