A new shrubby species of Euphorbia sect. Scatorhizae (E. subg. Chamaesyce; Euphorbiaceae) from southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Euphorbia leleensis, a new species from Lele Hill, Bale Zone, southeastern Ethiopia, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, the new species resembles E. suborbicularis, E. polyantha, and E. agowensis, but differs in having broadly ovate to suborbicular leaf blades, with a rounded to shallowly cordate base, caducous stipules, broadly ovate to triangular-cordate bracts, yellowish-green glands with a 3–4-lobed margin, subglobose to broadly oblong and sparsely pubescent capsules, and oblong to ovoid seeds. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ITS region recover two accessions of E. leleensis as a strongly supported clade (BS = 100 %; PP = 1), sister to E. agowensis (BS = 95%; PP = 1). These results place the new species Euphorbia sect. Scatorhizae within Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce, confirming its recognition as a distinct species. The species is preliminary assessed as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.