Common name: Broom Spurge
Amperea xiphoclada (Spreng.) Druce APNI* 
Description: Erect shrub to 60 cm high, with rigid, angular branches, sometimes ± leafless; usually monoecious.
Leaves alternate, lower leaves cuneate to oblong, 5–25 mm long, often toothed; upper leaves linear, scale-like, usually <10 mm long, margins entire; stipules fringed, reddish brown.
Flowers few in sessile clusters or with pedicels to 13 mm long surrounded by ovate, fringed bracts. Perianth 2–3 mm long.
Capsule ovoid, c. 4 mm long.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread in heath, woodland and forest on low-fertility sandy soils.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, CWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. S.A.
Text by T. A. James & G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the varieties | |
| 1 | All flowers ± sessile. | 2 |
| Most female flowers with pedicels 1–13 mm long. | var. pedicellata |
| 2 | Leaves to 25 mm long, both surfaces smooth; ridges along stems smooth or irregularly sparsely papillose. | var. xiphoclada |
| Leaves to 7 mm long, upper surface and lower midrib, as well as ridges along stems (at least lower parts) papillose.
Back to 1 | var. papillata |
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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