Euphorbia tenax, the ystervarkmelkbos

This smallish Euphorbia tenax plant was found in April near Van Wyksdorp. Its purplish stem colour, contrasting strongly against the green specimens also shown in this Album, indicates what heat and drought stress can do to a plant at the end of a long and trying off-season. Fortunately the rain is likely to return shortly, which will start a new growth cycle.

Survival is supported by the underground tuberous root where stored supplies are accessed at times like this. Should the rain not come, last season’s seeds may perform to continue the line, the dynasty. If both prospects fail, there may still be a few growth seasons left in the known to be resilient young plant (Smith, et al, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; iNaturalist; JSTOR; iSpot).