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Euphorbia avasmontana Seeds
Crown of Thorns, Slender Candelabra Euphorbia
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. 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 avasmontana, also known as Euphorbia hottentota, Euphorbia kalaharica and Euphorbia sagittaria is a South African indigenous species found also in Namibia and from the Richtersveld to Prieska. Common Names include Crown of Thorns and Slender Candelabra Euphorbia. They are many stemmed, spiny, columnar cactus-like succulents branching at the base. They grow 2m to 2,5m tall and can sucker to nearly as wide. It is one of many South African Euphorbias that at first glance look a lot like each other. It is a very neat habit and makes a good specimen landscape plant in a xeriscape garden.