Name and taxonomic treatment
Euphorbia bahalita was described by Naidu and Kusom in 2026 from Tamil Nadu in southern India. Its epithet derives from a Sanskrit word referring to its compact, dense habit. This account presents the species as circumscribed in the original publication. A separate POWO record was not confirmed during the check on 21 October 2026 [Naidu and Kusom 2026] [2-WWW].
A compact shrub
The plant reaches approximately 1 m in height, branches strongly and produces decumbent lateral branches. Twisted succulent stem segments have three or four angles and measure 4–8 cm long and 2.5–3 cm across. Paired spines are 4–6 mm long. The tiny oblong leaves measure about 2 mm. Overall habit is more compact than in the E. tortilis plants used for comparison [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
Inflorescences, fruits and seeds
A cyathium comprises a shared involucre and a group of reduced flowers. This species produces male and bisexual cyathia in separate axils. The involucre narrows towards its base, and its broadly oblong glands range from pale yellow to green. The three styles remain free from the base. Flowering in the region described extends from April to June [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
The three-angled capsules measure 4–4.5 mm across, with weak dorsal ridges and a convex upper surface. The fruits curve downwards. Seeds range from approximately quadrangular to ovate in outline and are slightly more than 2 mm long. White streaks occur on their brown surfaces. The authors also described a small caruncle, an outgrowth of the seed coat. These features complement identification based on short stems and habit [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
Localities and observed abundance
The species was recorded in scrub among rocks near T. Kallupatti in Madurai District and at the foot of Sankari Hill in Salem District. The authors recorded approximately 58 individuals in the type population. This is an observation from that population. It does not establish total species abundance, and the paper proposes no IUCN threat category [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
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