Euphorbia mammillaris - 10 Seed Pack - Indigenous South African 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 mammillaris commonly known as Indian Corn Cob is endemic to South Africa’s Little Karoo and Southern Cape area. It is normally found growing in thorny bush-lands. At some locations it is very common, often growing together with Euphorbia esculenta and Euphorbia ferox. It is also sometimes spelled Euphorbia mamillaris or Euphorbia mammilaris is a short stemmed dioecious shrublet producing a dense cluster. It normally grows 20-35cm tall. It usually has many club-like lateral branches, starting about 10cm above ground and arches upward. It has anything from 7 to 17 hexagonal crowded tubercles set in vertical rows like that of an ear of corn and is separated by horizontal grooves.