About Euphorbia pinetorum (Small) G.L.Webster
Euphorbia deltoidea, which has the synonym Chamaesyce deltoidea, is commonly known as wedge sandmat. It is a flowering plant species endemic to Florida in the United States. The taxonomy of this species is problematic: some authorities recognize four subspecies, while others recognize only three. It is also still frequently listed as a member of the former genus Chamaesyce. One subspecies, E. deltoidea ssp. deltoidea, is a federally listed endangered species called deltoid spurge, found only in Miami-Dade County. Another subspecies, E. deltoidea ssp. adhaerens, is often grouped into the deltoidea taxon rather than treated as a separate subspecies, which makes it difficult to accurately count the number of distinct endangered plant taxa. This confusion is generally addressed by applying the 'endangered species' label to any taxon within the species that is restricted to Miami-Dade County, regardless of how many different scientific names these taxa may have. Deltoid spurge grows in Miami-Dade County, a heavily populated area that has been largely taken over by urban development. Around 98% of the plant's natural habitat has been severely altered or destroyed, which has led to its current rarity. It occurs in the pine rocklands of South Florida, an increasingly rare forest habitat type that is maintained by periodic wildfire. The plant grows in open, sunny locations and relies on wildfires to clear brush and accumulated leaf litter that would otherwise shade it out. Fire suppression in Miami-Dade interrupts this natural fire regime. Additional threats to the species include invasive plant species such as Burma reed, Neyraudia reynaudiana.
