5 Euphorbia loricata Seeds - Indigenous Drought Tolerant Succulent - semi posiew semillas grains

Euphorbia loricata Seeds

South African Endemic Succulent

Euphorbia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is the fourth largest genus of flowering plants. The family is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and the Americas, but also in temperate zones worldwide. Succulent species originate mostly from Africa, the Americas and Madagascar. The common name "spurge" derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge ("to purge"), due to the use of the plant's sap as a medicinal purgative. The plants are annual or perennial herbs, woody shrubs or trees. Many species are more or less succulent, thorny or unarmed. The main stem and mostly also the side arms of the succulent species are thick and fleshy. In the genus Euphorbia, succulence in the species has often evolved divergently and to differing degrees. Sometimes it is difficult to decide, and it is a question of interpretation, whether or not a species is really succulent or "only" xerophytic. In some cases, especially with geophytes, plants closely related to the succulents are normal herbs. About 850 species are succulent in the strictest sense. If one includes slightly succulent and xerophytic species, this figure rises to about 1000, representing about 45% of all Euphorbia species. Smaller Euphorbias make excellent potted plants while larger species are valuable landscaping plants. Euphorbia loricata is a succulent with slender leaves at the branch tips which eventually dehisce and drop off, leaving the dried cyathium (flower) stems which resemble sharp spines. Endemic to South Africa, the plant has vertical growing, 7 to 10 cm diameter branches which branch from the base. Euphorbia loricata is relatively quick growing and will become a striking landscape plant in several years. Leaves get an attractive burgundy hue in the sun. A striking container plant in areas where temperatures drop below freezing, Euphorbia loricata does not mind being pot-bound and can be pruned for shape and branching. Elsewhere, it can be grown in the ground in well-draining rocky soil in cactus and succulent gardens.