Euphorbia gariepina subsp. gariepina

The cyathia of Euphoria gariepina subsp. gariepina, the modified flowers found on Euphorbia plants shown here, are each cupped by two or three leafy, fleshy bracts. The fully developed bract can be seen to be ovate with a recurving, acute tip and slight folding in of the margins near the tip.

The cyathium subtended by the bracts is a tiny barrel-like body in which the seeds are growing, topped by five pale yellow-green fleshy structures with rounded tips and tapering to the base, the remains of the male flowers, the stamens. A creamy white spot can be seen in the centre where the female flower has disintegrated already.