EUPHORBIACEAE

Euphorbia bicolor

Common Name:  Snow-On-The-Prairie

Go to BIO 406D homepage

habit inflorescences and bracts--what function do these bracts serve?
inflorescences closeup--these inflorescences look almost exactly like individual flowers; however, this is only a trick!  In the genus Euphorbia, there is a special kind of inflorescence called a cyathium, which resembles a perfect flower, but actually is composed of separate male and female flowers.  In this particular species, there are even petal look-alikes!  These "petals" are actually appendages on nectar glands, and are not parts of the flower at all. cyathium - each inflorescence contains a single female (pistillate) flower and several male (staminate) flowers. Notice the pendulous ovary in the female flower, they styles are still present in the flower on the right .

leaves closeup--notice the pubescence covering the leaves and stems.  These hairs may be absent in some individuals of this species. sap - many species in the Euphorbiaceae (including this one!) exude a milky sap when the leaves are removed
 
developing fruits--as in most of the Euphorbiaceae, these fruits are three-lobed (but this is not a monocot family!)