Euphorbia globosa Seeds - Indigenous Drought Tolerant Succulent

Euphorbia globosa Seeds

Globose Euphorbia, Globose Spurge; Eierpol, Knopmelkbol, Langbeentjie

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 globosa is a dwarf succulent composed of usually round, scaly, green-grey spherical bodies, growing in circular clusters. This succulent has a spreading growth form when found in its natural habitat, with a hidden underground stem. In cultivation, the plant tends to grow upwards, seemingly like connected beads. The branches emerge at ground level, composed of an elongated structure made up of connected marble-like bodies. As a mechanism to reduce water loss, as in many succulents, the plant lacks proper developed leaves and has few, small leaves.