Sand spurge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand spurge |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euphorbia
|
| Species: |
psammogeton
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Euphorbia psammogeton, also known as sand spurge, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the plant family called Euphorbiaceae. Its scientific name, psammogeton, comes from two Greek words: psammos, meaning "sand," and geiton, meaning "neighbour." This name tells us that the plant likes to grow near sand!
Contents
What Does Sand Spurge Look Like?
The sand spurge is a smooth, low-growing plant that spreads out like a mat. It's a perennial herb, which means it's a plant without a woody stem above ground that lives for more than two years. It often has a strong, woody root system underground.
Its stems lie flat on the ground and can grow up to 35 cm (about 14 inches) long. The leaves are shaped like long ovals, about 1–3 cm long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide. They are a bit uneven at their base.
The plant has tiny flower-heads that are surrounded by white, leaf-like parts called bracts. Each flower-head is special: it has one female flower and up to five groups of very small male flowers. After flowering, it produces a smooth, round fruit that is only about 2 mm long. The sand spurge flowers in spring and summer, and its fruits appear in autumn and winter.
Where Does Sand Spurge Live?
The sand spurge is a plant that is endemic to Australia. This means it is found naturally only in Australia and nowhere else in the world. You can find it along the coast of New South Wales and in the southeastern part of Queensland. It also grows on Lord Howe Island, which is a subtropical island in the Tasman Sea.
This plant loves sandy places near the ocean. It grows in coastal dunes and on beaches, usually above the high tide line.
Why Is Sand Spurge Important?
The sand spurge is an important part of its coastal environment. However, it is currently listed as endangered in New South Wales. This means there are not many of these plants left, and they need protection to survive. It is protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 in New South Wales.
How Scientists Named Sand Spurge
The scientific name of a plant can sometimes change as scientists learn more about it. The sand spurge was first described in 1993 by a scientist named Green, who called it Euphorbia psammogeton. Later, in 1995, other scientists thought it belonged to a different group and changed its name to Chamaesyce psammogeton. But in 2012, another scientist named Halford moved it back to the Euphorbia group. So, its official and currently accepted name is Euphorbia psammogeton again!
