Euphorbia enormis

Euphorbia enormis is a dwarf succulent with thick, underground stem or pseudo-caudex of up to 10 cm in diameter, continuing into the fleshy taproot. Sometimes below-ground branching allows for multiple above-ground stems, the stems branching at the base, forming a compact, heavy-bodied plant of mostly erect stem-tips.

The species distribution of this South African endemic is in the northeast of the country, in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, around Burgersfort to Lydenburg, as well as near Polokwane. The photo was taken near Steelpoort.

The habitat is stony bushveld. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Frandsen, 2017; iNaturalist; http://www.llifle.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).