All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

This species look like a Madagascar Jewel.
 

Description: Medium-sized ever-green or semi-deciduous succulent shrub, up to 120 cm tall
Stem: Unbranched or sparsely branched, sometimes spiraling, narrowing to the top, with longitudinal rows of thorns, with a diameter of 3 cm. The branches are 5-angled, broadening toward the tips, have grey leaf-scars, and are dark green to olive brown.
Leaves: Glossy bright green, elliptic, 12 by 2.5(-5) cm long, fleshy to quite leathery, with a prominent mid-vein, laced with white veins, and grow near the top of a stem. The leaf-stalks are 1.5 cm long and rather thick.
Flowers: The inflorescence of this species is usually on stalks, the true flowers are yellowish-green encircled by large  white to pink pseudo flowers on a greenish-red stalk.
Blooming season: Summer
 

Cultivation: Half sun to lit shade appears to be the optimum range but tolerate the most shade. Relatively flexible in its watering requirements. They can be watered regularly as long as the medium is open and well drained. As with any normal plant when watering, it is best to do so thoroughly, until a little water comes out through the drain holes. Allow the medium to dry out somewhat between waterings. Reduce watering to once every 1.5 weeks during winter. Space plants apart to allow air movement between branches and leaves. This will help with evaporation of extra water droplets collected during watering.
The ideal potting-medium is one with good moisture-retaining capacity but open and well drained with some extra manure for added nutrition. Regular fertilizing with low nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium ratios are preferred. Feed during spring and summer to mid autumn and withhold feeding during winter. Tall plant will benefit from being staked, with bamboo or other suitable stakes, in order to stabilize the plants and provide a counterbalance to the weight of the masses of flowers. In the absence of staking, the stems of the plants will be under extreme pressure and may snap under the weight. Very tender, protect from frost.

Reproduction: Cuttings It is recommend taking Euphorbia cuttings in Spring/Summer when the plant is growing so that they have a better chance of success. They key is heat & good air circulation. These cuttings should be dipped in Hormone powder (but it is not needed) and left for a period of 3-4 weeks to callous. Then pot the cutting and don't water ( or kept slightly moist) until rooted. These will root just fine, if you can put the pot outside in the summer, or put pot on a heating pad.

Warning: As with all other Euphorbias when a plant get damaged it exudes a thick white milky sap known as latex. This latex  is poisonous and particularly dangerous for the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. So pay extreme attention not to get any in your eyes or mouth.  Cultivated plants must be handled carefully.

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Scientific name:  Euphorbia lophogona Lamarck
Encycl. 2:417. 1788
Described by Jean Baptiste Lamarck in 1786 from plants that had been introduced into Europe from Madagascar.

Origin: Endemic to Madagascar (Provinces: Fianarantsoa, Toamasina, Toliara Other important sites: Ile Ste Marie)  

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Common Names include: 'Randramboay', ‘White Crown of Thorns’.

Habitat:  Subtropical or tropical coastal rainforests with a sandy soil. Elevation (m) 0-499


The true flowers are yellowish-green encircled by large white to pink pseudo flowers on a greenish-red stalk.

It is quite distinctive for its angular stems, with longitudinal rows of thorns and large leaves that are quite leathery and laced with white veins.
 

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.