Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small
-
Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
-
Family
Euphorbiaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Species Description - Annual prostrate to decumbent herb, to 20 cm long, manybranched from a taproot; stems reddish, glabrous. Leaf blades 4- 8 x 2-3 mm , broadly elliptic or obovate, membranous, pellucid punctate, usually reddish-tinged at margins, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base rounded, nearly symmetrical, the margins obscurely serrate; petioles ca. 1 mm long; stipules minute. Cyathia solitary in axils of short lateral shoots; glands and appendages minute, white. Pistillate flower exserted; ovary pubescent at angles. Capsule pubescent at angles, 3-lobed, ca. 1-1.2 mm long. Seeds cuneiform, ca. 0.9-1.0 mm long, gray.
Distribution and Ecology - Uncommon in disturbed, open areas. Johns Folly (A3940, A3942). Also on Tortola, Virgin Gorda; throughout the West Indies, Florida, Mexico, and South America.