Donkey Tail
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Donkey Tail
euphorbia myrsinites
Donkey Tail, also commonly known as Myrtle Spurge, is an eye-catching, drought-tolerant succulent perennial native to the rocky landscapes of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. This plant is renowned for its architectural beauty, featuring sprawling stems wrapped in spirally arranged, fleshy blue-green leaves. In late winter to spring, it produces vibrant, crown-like clusters of sulfur-yellow bracts that surround its small, inconspicuous flowers, making it a popular choice for rock gardens and xeriscaping. However, it is also notorious for its highly toxic, milky white latex sap, which protects it from herbivores but can cause severe irritation to human skin and eyes. In several parts of North America, it has escaped cultivation to become an aggressive, invasive weed that displaces native flora.
Hábitat: Typically found on dry, sun-drenched rocky slopes, limestone cliffs, and disturbed gravelly open areas.
Aspecto
This low-growing perennial features creeping or decumbent stems measuring 10 to 40 cm long, which are densely clad in thick, fleshy, wedge-shaped leaves of a glaucous blue-grey color. The leaves are organized in tight, geometric spirals around the stems, resembling a scaly tail. In early spring, the stem tips bear conspicuous terminal clusters of bright, chartreuse or sulfur-yellow bracts that slowly age to a warm reddish-pink hue as the seeds mature inside the central capsules.
ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenMalpighialesFamiliaEuphorbiaceaeGéneroEuphorbia
Categoría
PlantasRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Snaps
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Datos interesantes
Despite its common name 'Donkey Tail', it is completely unrelated to the harmless trailing houseplant Sedum morganianum, which shares the same name.
Its milky sap is so toxic that it can cause temporary blindness if it accidentally comes into contact with human eyes.
When the seed pods dry out in summer, they burst open with an audible popping sound, shooting seeds up to 15 feet away.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Toxic Latex Defense
Produces a sticky, caustic milky white sap containing diterpene esters that deter herbivores and can cause chemical burns on skin.
Habilidad
Xeric Water Storage
Stores water efficiently within its thick, fleshy leaves covered in a waxy, light-reflecting cuticle to survive extreme drought.
Habilidad
Explosive Dehiscence
Utilizes a mechanical seed-pod mechanism that explodes when dry, launching seeds several meters away to colonize new soil.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 10+ cm
- Peso
- 0.1+ kg
- Esperanza de vida
- 3+ años
Dieta y alimentación
As a photosynthetic plant, it converts solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars while absorbing essential minerals through its deep taproot.
Alimentos principales
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil minerals
Conexiones ecológicas
eaten by
Spurge Hawk-moth
Hyles euphorbiae
The caterpillar of this specialized moth feeds almost exclusively on the toxic leaves, sequestering the plant's poisons for its own defense.
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits the small spring flowers to collect nectar and pollen, acting as a primary pollinator.
competitor
Cheatgrass
Bromus tectorum
Competes directly with this plant for moisture, light, and space in dry, degraded habitats of the American West.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
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Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Donkey Tail?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Donkey Tail es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Donkey Tail?
10+ cm
¿Cuál es el peso de Donkey Tail?
0.1+ kg
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Donkey Tail?
3+ años
¿Qué come Donkey Tail?
As a photosynthetic plant, it converts solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars while absorbing essential minerals through its deep taproot.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Donkey Tail?
Typically found on dry, sun-drenched rocky slopes, limestone cliffs, and disturbed gravelly open areas.
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