Euphorbia celastroides

Fruit of E. celastroides

Euphorbia celastroides grows as a medium-sized shrub or small tree reaching 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.[3] To grow properly, this species requires temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F) and light shade.[4] This plant develops in a fashion similar to a shrub. In the summer, it assumes a red-violet colouring. It does not lose its leaves in the winter, due to the warm climate of its range. Female flowers have a three-part pistil over a three-part ovary, usually producing three (or sometimes more) seeds.[4] This species is tolerant of heat and drought. They are susceptible to fungal diseases. Its cyathia may be located in short or open-branched cymes, or remain ungrouped in leaf axils. The leaves are distichous (grow in two vertical rows) and may have a glaucous coating. This plant produces a green or brown, rounded fruit 2 to 4 mm long, containing grey-brown seeds 0.5 to 2.5 mm long.[3]

Most varieties of this species can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands.[5][6] E. celastroides is tolerant of drought and grows in dry areas, inland as well coastal.[7] This species is endemic to the polihale and kanaio regions of Kauai and Maui.[8]

Euphorbia celastroides has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN.[9] However, due to its endemic nature, it is very vulnerable to human threats. Two examples of such threats are four-wheeled vehicles (which crush the plant) and introduced species (which compete for resources).[8]

This plant has many varieties. These varieties include:[10]

• Var. amplectens
• Var. halawana
• Var. hanapepensis
• Var. haupuana
• Var. humbertii
• Var. ingrata
• Var. kaenana
• Var. kohalana
• Var. laehiensis
• Var. lorifolia
• Var. mauiensis
• Var. nelsonii
• Var. nematopoda
• Var. niuensis
• Var. pseudoniuensis
• Var. saxicola
• Var. typica
• Var. waikoluensis