Resolving the Euphorbia neriifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) complex with two new succulent species from Western India

Linnaeus appears to have clubbed three distinct species under Euphorbia neriifolia, namely, the plants from China and Indonesia which match the original E. neriifolia, Indian and Sri Lankan plants now recognized as E. nivulia and lastly, the West African E. drupifera. With extensive field studies, examination of corresponding protologues and type material, as well as the consultation of literature and herbaria, it is concluded that for centuries, workers have erroneously clubbed together different Indian taxa into E. neriifolia. Interestingly, E. neriifolia is originally a southeast Asian and Chinese taxon which is not found in India, while E. ligularia is from Northeast India and two other common succulents are from peninsular India. The latter two are described here as E. yadavii and E. paschimia. In this paper, an epitype for E. neriifolia from Indonesia is designated to stabilize the species with reinstatement of E. ligularia as a species. Further, E. complanata is synonymized under E. neriifolia, and E. undulatifolia under E. ligularia. Amended descriptions are provided for E. neriifolia, E. nivulia, and E. ligularia.