Species:
	Euphorbia glauca
Common Name(s):
	shore spurge, sea spurge, waiu-atua, sand milkweed
Threat Status:
	Declining
Status 2004:
	Serious Decline
Authority:
	Euphorbia glauca G.Forst.
Qualifiers:
	CD
Family:
	Euphorbiaceae
Flora Category:
	Vascular - Native
Synonyms:
	None
Distribution:
	Endemic to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands.
Habitat:
	Coastal cliffs, banks and talus slopes, sand dunes and rocky lake shore scarps.
Features:
	Perennial herb with multiple erect stems up to 1 m tall and underground rhizomes. Stems reddish; leaves alternate, blue-green. Flowers in terminal bunches, each flower surrounded by a deep red cup-like structure with purple glands. Sap a burning milky juice. Flowers are produced from October to February and fruit occur from December to May.
Similar Taxa:
	The milky sap distinguishes it from many other coastal herbs. The large cigar-shaped leaves and red cups around the flower-like inflorescences (‘cyanthia’) distinguish this species from other Euphorbia species.
Flowering:
	September to March (sporadic flowering throughout the year can occur)
Fruiting:
	December to July
Propagation Technique:
	Easy from fresh seed, cuttings and the division of whole plants.
Threats:
	Domestic and feral cattle, sheep, pigs and possums are the major threats throughout this species range, mainly through browse and trampling. Competition from taller vegetation is significant at many sites. Coastal development (e.g., road widening) and erosion are further common threats to most populations. Population fragmentation makes the remnants vulnerable to sudden decline. Some populations on the West Coast of the South Island appear to have succumbed to a fungal disease.
Chromosome No.:
	2n = 20
Endemic Taxon:
	Yes
Endemic Genus:
	No
Endemic Family:
	No

Where To Buy
Can be purchased from Oratia Native Plant Nurseries (info@oratianatives.co.nz).

    

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Last updated: 19 Apr 2010