Euphorbia caput-medusae - 5 Seed Pack - Rare Endemic Indigenous Succulent - Combined Shipping, NEW

Euphorbia caput-medusae Seeds

Medusa's Head 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. 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 caput-medusae is commonly known as Medusa's Head Euphorbia. This name aptly describes this species with multiple serpent-like stems arising from a short caudex (thick, woody underground stem). It occurs in deep sand or rocky outcrops on the coast near Cape Town though it is becoming rare due to over collection. Euphorbia caput-medusae can often exceed 1 m in diameter. The Medusa’s head euphorbia is partly buried in the ground, covered with numerous crowded branches, spineless but with persistent remains of the peduncles. Not only is it indigenous to South Africa it is also an endemic Euphorbia which is only found in South Africa.