Entry for EUPHORBIA nigrispina N. E. Br. [family EUPHORBIACEAE]
Entry From
Flora Somalia, Vol 1, (1993) Author: by S. Carter (Euphorbia, Monadenium), M. G. Gilbert (Acalypha, Andrachne, Antidesma, Bridelia, Caperonia, Cephalocroton, Chrozophora, Clutia, Dalechampia, Flueggea, Givotia, Manihot, Meineckia, Micrococca, Oldfieldia, Phyllanthus, Ricinus, Suregada, Tragia), and M. Thulin (Croton, Drypetes, Erythrococca, Excoecaria, Jatropha, Spirostachys and Thecacoris) [updated by M. Thulin 2008]
Notes
Delamah duh, dibu, dibu yer (Som.). One of the most common species of succulent Euphorbia along the northern mountain ranges, variable in habit and robustness. Plants in shade, or on slopes influenced by the mist belt, tend to be taller, developing an obvious central stem with lax branching (e.g. Carter 896). Shrubs on drier south-facing slopes become more robust, with wider branches and a stronger spinescence (e.g. Bally 9671). Spine-length is typically very variable on each branch, but at times of good growth spines can be of equal length (e.g. Bally 7115), or become almost obsolete at times of little growth (e.g. Gillett 4585). From herbarium specimens the Somali populations appear to be conspecific with plants from the Gobelli Valley, south of Harar in Ethiopia, which are identified in Fl. Eth. Er. 2(2): 342 (1995) as E. nigrispina. However, until more is known of E. nigrispina at its type locality some distance to the south at Ueb Caranle, identification of Somali material as this species cannot be made with absolute certainty. In Somalia, more than one taxon may also be involved. Gillett 4256 was erroneously identified as E. inaequispina N. E. Br. in Kew Bull. 2: 111 (1941), and 4585 (as 4584) as E. infausta N. E. Br., a synonym of E. polyacantha Boiss.