A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Euphorbia cyparissias
Morphology and physiology can be altered when cypress spurge is infected by pathogenic rust fungi (Uromyces striatus). Infected plants produce mostly unbranched stems with oval instead of needle-like leaves and are incapable of seed production. Upper stem leaves turn yellow and are folded into a flower-like shape called a pseudoflower. Nectar glands are produced on the underside of the folded leaves and attract insect visitors that fertilize the rust.
No Comments