Euphorbia enopla Seeds - Pincushion Euphorbia - Indigenous Endemic Succulent - NEW

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 with a caustic, poisonous milky sap (latex). 

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.

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 enopla commonly known as Pincushion Euphorbia is a much branched succulent shrub. It is covered with many red spines of up to 1.5cm in length. As with most Euphorbias, when a plant is cut or damaged it exudes a thick, white, milky, latex-like sap. This sap is poisonous and may irritate the skin. It is very sticky and difficult to remove. Take extreme care not to get any in your eyes or mouth. This is said to be the most attractive of all the euphorbias. The ribbed branches are about 3 cm in diameter with the spines tightly arranged in rows along the ribbed edges. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found from Touwsrivier to Montagu and Jansenville.