This Euphorbia loricata bush growing in the Gifberg has a very short single stem from which several fairly erect-growing branches emerge low down. Some of the many side-branchlets near stem-tips are later lost, “energy” reserved for more, short leafy ones higher up, the few retained lower ones becoming thicker and bare.
The green growth from the grey stems appears fuzzy and ephemeral, the succulent stems substantial (Grenier, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017; iNaturalist).