Euphorbia tenax fruit

The fruits of Euphorbia tenax, previously E. arceuthobioides seen here were photographed during January. The capsule is three-segmented, tapering to its tip. Above some of the fruits visible in the photo a persistent three-branched stigma is in evidence. A disc-like calyx can be seen below the fruit, as well as cream coloured vertical lines where the segments meet. Some tiny, undeveloped green fruits are also visible.

The seeds produced are wrinkled and oblong. The earlier specific name of arceuthobioides relates to the similarity between this species and some Arceuthobium plants, a genus of parasites referred to as dwarf mistletoes (iNaturalist; iSpot; JSTOR; Wikipedia).