Research Paper

Euphorbia ellipticaulis (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Andhra Pradesh, India

Naidu Sarojinidevi, Kusom Raja Kullayiswamy

Published on: 10 January 2026

Page: 67 - 72

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.67

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    Abstract

    Euphorbia ellipticaulis sp. nov., a succulent shrub of subgenus Euphorbia, is newly described from Andhra Pradesh, India. It resembles E. antiquorum but differs in involucral bracts broadly oblong, ciliate at apex (versus broadly triangular, laciniate at apex in E. antiquorum); staminate flower bracteole filiform, bifid at apex (versus setaceous, deeply laciniate at apex); styles free from the base (versus styles connate up to middle). The new taxon also is close to Euphorbia tortilis in a few morphological features but differs in the rarely twisted nature of a few mature branches (versus twisting), ellipsoid internodes (versus oblong) and transversely elliptic-oblong involucral glands (versus transversely oblong in E. tortilis). A comprehensive taxonomic description, along with illustrations and a comparative analysis with closely related species, is provided to highlight its distinct characteristics.

    Keyword: Andhra Pradesh, Euphorbia antiquorum, Euphorbia tortilis, Kadapa District, Nandyal District, Succulent Euphorbia

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