Euphorbia caput-medusae – Medusa’s Head Euphorbia – 5 Seed Pack
R37,50
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Please read our shipping terms and conditions here before placing your order: Shipping Terms and Conditions
16 in stock
Euphorbia is a genus in the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is the fourth largest genus of flowering plants. 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. Smaller Euphorbias make excellent potted plants while larger species are valuable landscaping plants.
Euphorbia caput-medusae is commonly known as Medusa’s Head Euphorbia. This name aptly describes this species with multiple serpent-like stems arising from a short caudex (thick, woody underground stem). It occurs in deep sand or rocky outcrops on the coast near Cape Town though it is becoming rare due to over collection. Euphorbia caput-medusae can often exceed 1 m in diameter. The Medusas head euphorbia is partly buried in the ground, covered with numerous crowded branches, spineless but with persistent remains of the peduncles. Not only is it indigenous to South Africa it is also an endemic Euphorbia which is only found in South Africa.