Euphorbia schinzii and bee

The cyathia of Euphorbia schinzii, the “false flower” borne by Euphorbia plants, encloses the vital parts for seed production by five yellow, broad and flat-tipped petal-like glands. They serve well as flowers for attracting insects, such as the visiting bee present in the photo. Flower presentation at stem tips or near them enhances probability of timeous pollinator visits for ensuring seed formation. The cyathia grow together in groups of three, appearing in winter.

The Magaliesberg is one of the places in the northern parts of South Africa where E. schinzii may be encountered, often among stones and sometimes in unlikely looking homes like rock fissures.

It is not (yet) threatened in the second decade of the 21st century, thanks to effective defence mechanisms such as succulence, threatening spines, small size, a long taproot and a rocky neighbourhood (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; www.redlist.sanbi.org).