Euphorbia multifolia false flowers

The light green to greenish yellow cyathia or false flowers of Euphorbia multifolia are simple, borne on long peduncles that persist on the thick stems and give the plant its spiny appearance. Male and female false flowers grow on separate plants in this dioecious species.

There are three flat, spreading bracts around the yellower floral parts of each cyathium, sometimes greenish or pinkish orange. In picture these bracts are pale and centrally folded, the floral parts normally in their midst already dropped off. Smaller bracteoles are visible lower down on the peduncles, growing mostly alternate. Several flowers appear together on a stem-tip. Flower diameter is about 5 mm.

Flowering happens from late winter to after midspring (Frandsen, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; https://www.llifle.com).