Explorations into Euphorbia sect. Anisophyllum (euphorbiaceae) in the trans-Pecos region of Texas with a focus on the Fendleri Clade

Abstract

Several new discoveries in Euphorbia L. subg. Chamaesyce Raf. sect. Anisophyllum Roeper for the Trans-Pecos region of Texas are documented. These include E. ophthalmica Pers., a species new to the Trans-Pecos from Marfa, Presidio County; E. abramsiana L.C. Wheeler new to Texas from Brewster and Presidio Counties; E. vermiculata Raf., new to Texas from Alpine, Brewster County; E. cryptorubra N.C. Taylor & M. Terry, a newly described species from southern Hudspeth County and northern Chihuahua, Mexico; notes on E. golondrina L.C. Wheeler including two potential novelties; and notes on E. fendleri Torr. & A. Gray, a problematic species complex. The sections concerning E. abramsiana and E. cryptorubra have been published Taylor and Terry (2016) in Phytoneuron and the Journal of the Botanical Institute of Texas respectively. Within E. golondrina and E. fendleri, there is much room for study, and directions for future investigations are indicated. Provided at the end is a key to all species now known for the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.