Euphorbia tannensis var. eremophila facts for kids

Euphorbia tannensis var. eremophila is a type of plant often called the Desert Spurge. It is a widespread variety of the E. tannensis plant group. This plant is known for growing in many parts of Australia.

What Does It Look Like?

This plant usually grows as an upright bush. It can reach about one meter (around 3 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can even grow up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high.

The Desert Spurge has green or yellow flowers. If you look at it from far away, it might seem like it doesn't have any leaves. This variety is different from another similar plant, E. tannensis var. finlaysonii, because of the shape of its special flower parts.

How Scientists Named It

The Desert Spurge has an interesting history of how it got its scientific name. A scientist named Allan Cunningham first wrote about this plant in 1848. He first called it Euphorbia eremophila.

Later, in 1977, another scientist named David Hassall changed its classification. He decided that this plant was actually a variety of E. tannensis. He also reclassified a similar plant, E. finlaysonii, in the same way. Since he thought these two plants were very closely related, he grouped them together under E. tannensis subsp. eremophila.

Where Does It Grow?

This type of Desert Spurge is found all over mainland Australia. You can find it in every state on the mainland. However, in Victoria, it only grows in the very far northwest part of the state.