*Euphorbia oblongata Grisebach. Eggleaf Spurge, Balkan Spurge. Phen: Apr-May. Hab: Roadbanks, disturbed areas. Dist: Native of Balkan Europe. Urban areas from AL and GA (?) north to Long Island and CT (?). Apparently well naturalized and documented in the w. US; more distribution work is needed in the e. US. At present, perhaps only an intermittent and often-overlooked species naturalizing in urban and garden-adjacent habitats in our area.

ID notes:Euphorbia oblongata has a similar gestalt than E. obtusata and E. spathulata, and all three share verrucose ovaries and serrulate leaf margins. However, E. oblongata is perennial, has a distinct woody taproot (vs. annual with thin herbaceous taproot), and has conspicuously villous stems, especially along the distal half of culms (vs. glabrous stems).

Origin/Endemic status: Mediterranean Europe and Africa

Taxonomy Comments: See Ward (2023) for detailed discussion.

Synonymy: = FNA12, K4, Stace (2021), Ward (2023) in Weakley et al (2023); = n/a – C, Pa, RAB; = Tithymalus oblongatus (Griseb.) Soják

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