Spurgecreeper (Dalechampia scandens, Sp. Pl.: 1054 (1753))

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1054 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dalechampia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Spurgecreeper, scientifically known as Dalechampia scandens, is a captivating plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. This enchanting species, first cataloged in Carl Linnaeus’ seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, flourishes predominantly in tropical and subtropical climates.

Dalechampia scandens is revered for its vigorous climbing habit, which allows it to spread across a variety of terrains, making it both a charming ornamental plant and a versatile addition to diverse ecological landscapes. The plant’s blooming displays are a true spectacle, featuring unique and intricate floral structures. These flowers not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding environment but also play a crucial role in attracting pollinators, thus supporting local biodiversity.

The resilience and adaptability of Spurgecreeper make it a subject of interest for both horticulturists and botanists. Its ability to thrive in varying conditions showcases the ecological significance of the Euphorbiaceae family, contributing to our understanding of plant distribution in different climatic zones. Whether wild or cultivated, Dalechampia scandens continues to be an exemplar of natural beauty and ecological harmony in the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: spurgecreeper
En: Spurgecreeper
Pt: Coça coça

Synonyms

• Dalechampia scandens var. genuina (Müll.Arg.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Assam (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Florida (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Oct 1, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 4, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2015 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 18, 2020 by Guillaume Emin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Maniane SARR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Earth Scent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2020 by Yoannis Domínguez (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 4, 2011 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2015 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2015 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 25, 2015 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319177-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3055569)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dalechampia scandens L.)

Specifications

Growth