Euphorbia enormis cyathia and spines

    Euphorbia enormis cyathia and spines
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Judd Kirkel Welwitch

    The yellow false flowers or cyathia of Euphorbia enormis grow in nearly sessile cymes emerging from “eyes” in the stem-tip spine shields near stem-tips. The plant being monoecious, flowers of both genders grow on each plant.

    Three erect cyathia usually form a cyme, the central one male, the lateral ones female. The cyathia become up to 1,2 cm in diameter. Yellow-green, oblong nectar-glands are present.

    The diverging paired spines are soon pale grey and dry but here dark-tipped and sharp. 

    The fruit capsules are obtusely lobed (Frandsen, 2017; iNaturalist; http://www.llifle.com).

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