Varietal rank and origin of the name
Euphorbia tortilis var. mysorensis was described by Naidu and Kusom in 2026 as a botanical variety of E. tortilis. This rank denotes a taxon within the species. The name is not a cultivar designation. Its epithet refers to Mysore District in Karnataka. This account follows the protologue. POWO accepts E. tortilis, while a separate record for the new variety was not confirmed on 21 October 2026 [Naidu and Kusom 2026] [2-WWW].
Broad, twisted stems
The description concerns a shrub or small tree reaching approximately 1.5 m. Succulent stem segments are twisted, ribbed and three- to five-angled. They reach 10–12 cm in diameter. Their margins bear prominent tubercles and pairs of diverging spines 5–8 mm long. The small ovate leaves reach 2 mm. Recognition of the variety combines stem width with gland and gynoecium structure [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
Cyathia and seeds
Cyathia are small inflorescences enclosed by a shared involucre. In this variety, the involucre is cup-shaped, and the glands are obovate to oblong with wavy margins. The three styles remain free from the base. The capsule measures approximately 8 mm across. Seeds are pale brown, globose to nearly globose and 2–2.2 mm long. Flowering from April to June was reported in the protologue [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
Localities associated with farmland
The type material comes from Nanjangud in Mysore District. The authors observed plants along agricultural field bunds and in boundary fences. The reported localities therefore belong to a landscape used by people. Recognition at varietal rank rests on comparison of morphological characters [Naidu and Kusom 2026].
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