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Plant Profile

Deltoid Spurge (Euphorbia deltoidea ssp. deltoidea)

This shows the mat-forming wiry stems and tiny wedge-shaped leaves of this perennial herb. Photo Credit: Jennifer Possley

Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Euphorbiaceae
State: FL
Nature Serve ID: 1102616
Lifeform: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea is a federally endangered, prostrate, perennial herb with wiry stems and tiny wedge-shaped leaves. It is found only in the extremely rare pine rockland ecosystem of Miami-Dade County, and occurs in mats over exposed limestone (DERM 1993, 1996). These inconspicuous plants have a disproportionately large woody taproot (Burch 1966), indicating their tendency to be long-lived and their ability to recover from fire.

Where is Deltoid Spurge (Euphorbia deltoidea ssp. deltoidea) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea can be found in pine rocklands (Renus 1979, DERM 1993, USFWS 1999). Pine rocklands once extended continuously along the south Florida limestone ridge for approximately 105 kilometers. The limestone ridge is 3-5 meters in height and consists of porous limestone known as Miami oolite. Limestone weathering creates pockets on the surface allowing plants to take root (USFWS 1985).

Distribution:

Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea is endemic to Miami-Dade County, Florida, where it is only found in pine rocklands from South Miami to Homestead (DERM 1993).

States & Provinces:

Deltoid Spurge can be found in Florida

Which CPC Partners conserve Deltoid Spurge (Euphorbia deltoidea ssp. deltoidea)?

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/13/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

09/11/2020

Pollination ecology studied by Ehrenfeld (1976, 1979

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

A Florida endemic which currently has a narrow range due to habitat destruction. Succession of pine rockland to tropical hammock due to disrupted fire regimes and invasion of exotic plant species is also a threat to this species. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory contains eighteen occurrence records in its database.

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

Historically, habitat destruction was a primary threat that reduced this species range by 98% (USFWS 1999). Continued urbanization, non-native plant invasion and fire suppression continue to threaten this species.

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

There are an estimated 10,000 individuals (DERM 1993) at 18 sites; 12 of which are publicly owned.

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

Pollination ecology studied by Ehrenfeld (1976, 1979).

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

Miami-Dade County's Department of Environmental Resource Management and Natural Areas Management manage the sites where this species occurs. Their management plans include prescribed fire, though these are often too infrequent, due to lack of public support and recent droughts. Hand-removal of hardwood species is often employed as a surrogate to fires.

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

Research into seed ecology, propagation and reintroduction methods is needed. Management should include a natural fire regime. Brush, litter, and invasive non-natives should be kept clear of existing plants (USFWS 1999, Fisher 2000).

Jennifer Possley

01/01/2010

Fairchild Tropical Garden does not have an ex situ collection of this species, and currently does not have funding to create one. If plants are collected in the future, sowing wild-collected seeds is recommended, because the large taproots of these plants greatly reduce the feasibility of transplanting.