Euphorbia caerulescens, the suurnoors

This young Euphorbia caerulescens plant, previously E. ledienii and notably still the suurnoors (sour spurge), has branched, showing the occasional stem constriction and only four ribs, the stem square in cross-section. 

E. caerulescens, a valued fodder plant is commonly known as soetnoors or sweet noors, now united specifically with the suurnoors. Noors is a colloquial Afrikaans name for spurges or spiny euphorbias, signifying a surly attitude, suggested by the many threatening spines. Suurnoors is thus more appropriate and soetnoors an oxymoron, unless it relates to the fodder properties.

The sweet noors usually has a blue-grey stem colour, which the old E. ledienii may match, although thinner stems and fewer thorns were associated with the latter name. It used to be said that E. ledienii is not palatable as E. caerulescens, in fact it may be poisonous to livestock bringing it the suurnoors name (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006; iNaturalist; www.cactus-art.biz; www.cactus-art.biz).