Euphorbia clandestina Seeds - Rare Endemic Indigenous Succulent - Combined Shipping

Euphorbia clandestina Seeds

Volstruisnek Euphorbia; Ostrich Neck 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 clandestina commonly known as Volstruisnek Euphorbia is best grown as a pot plant in a sunny position such as a windowsill or stoep (verandah) but can also be grown out of doors in the Karoo and other desert gardens where frost is not too severe. Although Euphorbia clandestina is still rare in its habitat it is well established in cultivation. Hundreds of thousands of plants are produced annually by the horticultural trade in America and Europe. This is an example of ex situ conservation and one can safely assume that more plants exist in cultivation than in the plant's native habitat. It does best in a gravelly shale based soil, but is tolerant of a wide range of soil types. Good drainage is essential. Water sparingly during the summer months and keep dry in winter. It is a slow growing long lived plant and once established it will be content in its position and with its soil for years. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun. Not only is it indigenous to South Africa it is also an endemic Euphorbia which is only found in South Africa.