Cytogenetic studies of leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula, and its allies (Euphorbiaceae)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2247-2257 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Stahevitch ◽  
C. W. Crompton ◽  
W. A. Wojtas
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Meiotic Abnormalities ◽  
Stability Studies ◽  
Polymorphic Species ◽  
Cytogenetic Studies ◽  
Euphorbia Cyparissias

Cytological and cytogenetic studies were carried out on populations of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L. s.l.) and its allies primarily from North America but also from Europe. Chromosome numbers were determined for 126 samples of E. esula, 11 of E. cyparissias L., 1 of the hybrid (E. ×pseudoesula Schur) between these two species, and 1 of E. agraria Bieb. All plants of E. esula were hexaploid. Of the total, 125 leafy spurge accessions had a chromosome number of n = 30; 1 of n = 25++. Very few meiotic abnormalities were observed. Euphorbia cyparissias was primarily tetraploid (n = 20), although occasional diploids (n = 10) were encountered. Tetraploids were fertile; diploids were sterile. The hybrid between the two foregoing species had a chromosome number of n = 25, indicating that the E. cyparissias parent was a tetraploid; meiosis in the hybrid was abnormal. Euphorbia agraria was found to have a gametic number of n = 20, which is the first chromosome number determination for this species; meiosis was normal. Artificial crosses were made successfully between 31 accessions of leafy spurge. Seed germination of the F1 progeny slightly exceeded that reported for natural populations, and meiosis was normal. Pollen stability studies were carried out on herbarium material. Stainability was 100% for most of the samples studied. Extensive pollen size polymorphism was found. It is suggested that this phenomenon supports the hypothesis that E. esula is of allopolyploid origin. No cytological or cytogenetic basis was found for considering the leafy spurge accessions examined in this study as other than as a single, albeit somewhat polymorphic, species.

CYTOTAXONOMY OF EUPHORBIA ESULA IN CANADA AND ITS HYBRID WITH EUPHORBIA CYPARISSIAS

1958 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Number ◽  
North American ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
The North ◽  
Artificial Hybrid ◽  
Euphorbia Cyparissias

In 14 collections of leafy spurge from Ontario and Saskatchewan the chromosome number is 2n = 60. The problem of the correct botanical name of this plant is reviewed; all the North American collections seen are classed as E. esula L. sensu lato. The morphology and cytology of an artificial hybrid, E. cyparissias × E. esula, is described; its chromosome number is 2n = 50 and meiosis is irregular. The name E. × figertii Dörfler usually applied to this hybrid is rejected in favor of the prior name E. × pseudo-esula Schur.

Morphometric studies of the Euphorbia esula group (Euphorbiaceae) in North America

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1978-1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Crompton ◽  
A. E. Stahevitch ◽  
W. A. Wojtas
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Principal Coordinate Analysis ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Single Variable ◽  
Authentic Material ◽  
Variable Species ◽  
Euphorbia Cyparissias

Leafy spurge and cypress spurge are important weeds of pastures and unimproved rangeland in western and eastern North America, respectively. Taxonomists disagree as to whether leafy spurge is a single variable species or an aggregate of two or more species. Morphometric techniques (clustering by incremental sum of squares and principal coordinate analysis) were used to analyze relationships in leafy spurge and its allies. On the basis of studying 26 morphological characters found in 200 collections representing 32 putative taxa, we concluded that in North America only four species should be recognized, namely, Euphorbia agraria Bieb., Euphorbia cyparissias L., Euphorbia esula L., and Euphorbia ×pseudoesula Schur. A key to these taxa is provided. No authentic material of Euphorbia lucida Waldst. & Kitt. and Euphorbia salicifolia Host was found from this continent in the collections we examined.

scholarly journals Release of Postsenescent Dormancy in Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) by Chilling

Weed Science ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 784-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Harvey ◽  
Robert M. Nowierski
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
North America ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Significant Growth ◽  
Number Of Stems

The growth and development of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL. #3EPHES) collected during postsenescent dormancy and grown in the greenhouse was increasingly stimulated by chilling treatments longer than 14 days duration at 0 to 6 C. Production of stems with flower buds, primary flowers, and secondary flowers was greater in plants chilled for 42 days or more. The effects of chilling on total number of stems, number of strictly vegetative stems, or number of stems with vegetative branching were not significant. The height of the tallest stem per pot was influenced by chilling longer than 42 days. Growth rate also increased as a function of chilling duration. Based on our findings, we believe that there is little possibility that any significant growth can occur in the postsenescent period because of the prevailing climatic conditions found in areas of leafy spurge distribution in North America.

A Note on the Sugars and Amino Acids of Leafy Spurge, Euphorbia esula

Weeds ◽  
1956 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duane Le Tourneau
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Euphorbia Esula

INVESTIGATIONS ON RUBBER-BEARING PLANTS: IV. CYTOGENETIC STUDIES IN ASCLEPIAS (TOURN.) L.

1946 ◽  
Vol 24c (3) ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond J. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Natural Hybrids ◽  
Rubber Bearing ◽  
Cytogenetic Studies

The chromosome number of eight species and varieties of Asclepias (A. syriaca, A. incarnata and variety pulchra and forma albiflora, A. Sullivantii, A. tuberosa, A. curassavica, A. speciosa) was found to be 2n = 22.Various interspecific pollinations were attempted without success. A cross of A. incarnata with forma albiflora was successful.Possible natural hybrids between A. syriaca and A. speciosa and between A. incarnata and var. pulchra and forma albiflora are described. Two unusual chimaeral plants of A. incarnata that produced several stems of forma albiflora are described.

Cattle Foraging Behavior in Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)-Infested Rangeland

1987 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney G. Lym ◽  
Donald R. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
High Density ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Early Fall

Leafy spurge causes economic loss by reducing both herbage production and use. Herbage use by grazing cattle in various densities of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL. #3EPHES) was evaluated over a 3-yr period in North Dakota. Forage production and disappearance were estimated in four density classes of leafy spurge. Use of cool- and warm-season graminoids, forbs, and leafy spurge was estimated during the middle and the end of each grazing season. Cattle used 20 and 2% of the herbage in the zero and low density infestations, respectively, by mid-season. Moderate and high density infestations were avoided until the milky latex in leafy spurge disappeared in early fall, and herbage availability in zero and low density infestations declined. Herbage use in moderate and high density infestations increased to an average of 46% by the end of the grazing season compared to 61% in zero and low density infestations. An annual herbage loss of at least 35% occurred in pasture infested with 50% density or more of leafy spurge.

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