Euphorbia
mauritanica |
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Distribution: Found in Namaqualand and the dry parts of the Cape, Natal and Namibia. | |
Description: A many branched shrub that grows to approximately 1 meter in height. The green branches are spineless and cylindrical in shape. Small entire, lanceolate leaves (1.3 cm long) appear only on young growing stems. A white milky sap appears when the plant is injured. | |
Propagation: Seeds and cuttings. | |
Flower: Small yellow flowers appear in groups near the branch ends. |
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Common Names: Gifmelkbos roughly translated to english means "Poison Milk Bush", also known as the Pencil Milkbush. | |
Cultivation: This euphorbia is quite tough, it likes average water (mine gets watered when it rains, annual average rainfall for Kleinzee is 105mm) in winter and none or some in Summer. | |
Point of Interest: The plant is poisonous, but Steenbuck and Klipspringers are known to eat it. | |
Photographer&Grower: Max H. Michael |