Synonyms:

Euphorbia resinifera var. chlorosoma
Tithymalus resiniferus

Habitat:

Euphorbia resinifera is native to Morocco, where it can be found in the rocky slopes of Atlas Mountains, near Marrakesh.

Description:

Euphorbia resinifera is a succulent shrub, very ornamental as it reaches it full size: it can grow up to 60 centiemeters in height, taking on the form of a nice, spherical cushion. The shrub is formed by a myriad of perfectly erect, finger-shaped stems, identical to mini-cacti. This resemblance with cacti species is typical of Euphorbias, though they are totally unrelated from a phylogenetic point of view. This is an example of what’s called, in Ecology, “convergent evolution”: genera or even families of plants that develop similar morphological adaptations to cope with similar environmental condition, which in this case are rocky, arid habitats. In Euphorbia resinifera, the resemblance with a cacti is given by its erect, 4-sided to almost square, pale green stem, divided in 4 ribs, on the crest of which the little, sharp spines grow. Spines grow in opposite pairs, vertically lined up on the stem in an extremely precise arrangement. In cultivated specimens, stems can show an enlargement towards the base. Flowers, as in every Euphorbia, are called cyathia. A cyathium (cyathia in the plural form) is one of the specialised false flowers forming the inflorescence of plants in the genus Euphorbia. In E. resinifera they are solitary (meaning that they are not grouped in an inflorescence), growing in small groups at the top of the stem. The cyathia are enveloped by special structures that look like the petals of regular flowers, called cyathophylls, that, in this species, are bright yellow, 5 in number for each flowers. The blooming period is wonderful in this species: the bush become covered in a myriad of tiny little flowers, creating a wonderful, decorative effect. The blooming season goes from May to July.

Cultivation:

Growing Euphorbia resinifera is super-easy! Here are some tips to keep it happy:
Give it plenty of bright light, but avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. It loves filtered or indirect light. It’s pretty tolerant of temperatures, but keep it above 5-8ºC. It’s a subtropical plant and can handle a bit of cold, but don’t let it freeze. Water it regularly in spring and summer, about once a week, but always make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again. In the fall and winter, give it a break from watering as it goes dormant. Use a well-drained soil mix for succulents. It likes a mineral-rich substrate with materials like clay, pumice, or lava grit. Fertilize once a year in the summer with a product high in Phosphorus and Potassium, and low in Nitrogen. Dilute the product according to the package instructions. Repot it every year in the spring if it outgrows its pot. It’s a slow-growing species, so it won’t need repotting every year. Choose a pot that’s just slightly larger than the plant’s diameter. And be sure to wear gloves when handling the plant to protect yourself from the latex sap.

Propagation:

Euphorbia resinifera, also known as resin spurge, is a succulent plant that can be propagated through several techniques. One method is stem cutting, where a stem cutting is taken from the mother plant and allowed to dry for several days before planting in a well-draining soil mixture. Another method is leaf cutting, where a leaf is removed from the mother plant and planted directly into the soil or inserted into a rooting hormone before planting. The leaf will then develop roots and a new plant will grow. Another technique is by seed, which can be sown in a well-draining soil mixture and kept in a warm, bright location until germination occurs. Grafting is also possible but it’s not a common propagation method. Whichever technique is chosen, it is important to provide the newly propagated plants with the proper care, including adequate sunlight and water.

Curiosity:

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

Tips:
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