Euphorbia rudis showing typical stem surfaces

The stems of Euphorbia rudis are covered in neatly arranged rhomboid, bulges or tubercles with white, dry, central spots where the leaves have dropped off. These regular patterns give a pleasing pineapple-like appearance to the green stems that have to help photosynthesise, as the leaves stay for such a short while. The stems are hairless, 2,5 cm to 15 cm in length and 1,5 cm in diameter.

On specimens that have flowered much, the scattered remains of the peduncles of cyathia turned white and dry will be many, persisting among the stem tubercles; very unlike the appearance of pineapples.

The branches of E. braunsi, a similar species of the area are a little thicker (Williamson, 2010; JSTOR; iSpot).