Euphorbia gariepina subsp. gariepina

Euphoria gariepina subsp. gariepina, commonly sometimes the Gariepmelkbos (Gariep milkbush) in Afrikaans, is a stem succulent without spines, branching freely from the base and higher to heights up to 80 cm. 

The many branched stems hold resources for the long uncomfortable waiting seasons when rest and preparation are the only options on the land where these plants live. When respite with its signal for action finally comes in the form of rain, accompanied by more forgiving temperatures, the most vigorous response follows from the plants that lived through past hardship. Strong growth, flowering, seeding and dispersal of seeds into sometimes surmountable conditions is the best to expect during the next annual round in the timeless drama of life.

But harsh land is also daunting to the opposition, be they plants, animals or humans! Ironically, life may become bearable from the concomitant weakening of any threatening opposition. Conversely, many plants that ostensibly live an easy life in comfortable surroundings may be threatened by the pervasive presence of flourishing competitors, all vying for the finite space and resources. When climate change presents its additional challenges, they also impact upon the goats and the farmers that cause the overgrazing and trampling of arid land plants.

The subspecies grows close to the Gariep River in the north of the Richtersveld, eastwards through parts of Bushmanland to east of Upington; also in southern Namibia. 

The habitat is arid, rocky flats and slopes. The plant is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Van Rooyen and Van Rooyen, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).