EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 02 - 2019 Num. article: 2019/045

First report of Euphorbia serpens and Euphorbia glyptosperma in Romania


Euphorbia serpens and Euphorbia glyptosperma (Euphorbiaceae) are native to South and North America respectively. Both species are low growing creeping annual species which can be mat forming with prostrate stems rooting at the nodes. Both are regarded as rather rare alien species in the EPPO region, and both have probably been introduced as contaminants of seed, grain or other plants for planting. E. serpens was recorded from urban areas in 2018 in the city of Iași and Bucharest. In these areas the species has mainly been recorded as growing along pavements and in planting beds where other ornamental species have been planted. In Belgium the species has been recorded as growing around ports and disused railway yards. E. glyptosperma was recorded from Ciurea village (Iași County), along the railway in 2005, and later on in the Galaţi city near the railway in 2009, as well as long the Siret river in 2011 and 2015. It grows in open habitats with sandy or stony soils, disturbed anthropogenic sites or natural alluvial sands on the Siret river bank.


Sources

Sirbu C, Şuşnia I (2018) New records in the alien flora of Romania: Euphorbia serpens and E. glyptosperma. Journal of Plant Development 25, 135-144.