Euphorbia celastroides is a flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is referred to by the common name akoko by Hawaiians, and is a species of spurge closely related to the poinsettia. This species develops into a round-shape shrub. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Description
Euphorbia celastroides grows as a medium-sized shrub or small tree reaching in height.Hawaiian flora at botany.si.edu To grow properly, this species requires temperatures of and light shade. This plant develops in a fashion similar to a shrub. In the summer, it assumes a red-violet colouring. It does not lose its leaves in the winter, due to the warm climate of its range. Female flowers have a three-part pistil over a three-part ovary, usually producing three (or sometimes more) seeds.E. celastroides at ZipCodeZoo This species is tolerant of heat and drought. They are susceptible to fungal diseases. Its cyathia may be located in short or open-branched cymes, or remain ungrouped in leaf axils. The leaves are distichous (grow in two vertical rows) and may have a glaucous coating. This plant produces a green or brown, rounded fruit 2 to 4 mm long, containing grey-brown seeds 0.5 to 2.5 mm long.
Distribution and habitat Most varieties of this species can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands.USDA.gov on Var.kaenana E. celastroides is tolerant of drought and grows in dry areas, inland as well coastal. This species is endemic to the polihale and kanaio regions of Kauai and Maui.CHAMAESYCE CELASTROIDES COASTAL DRY SHRUBLAND at hawaii.edu
Conservation Euphorbia celastroides has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN.Chamaesyce celastroides at EOL.org However, due to its endemic nature, it is very vulnerable to human threats. Two examples of such threats are four-wheeled vehicles (which crush the plant) and introduced species (which compete for resources).
Varieties
This plant has many varieties. These varieties include:Euphorbia on SageBud
Var. amplectens Var. halawana Var. hanapepensis Var. haupuana Var. humbertii Var. ingrata Var. kaenana Var. kohalana Var. laehiensis Var. lorifolia Var. mauiensis Var. nelsonii Var. nematopoda Var. niuensis Var. pseudoniuensis Var. saxicola Var. typica Var. waikoluensis
References