Euphorbia mauritanica stem-tip cyathia and leaves

Euphorbia mauritanica produces clusters of yellow flowers or cyathia at the top of the many erect young stems that make up the yellowish green shrub. In the centre of each cyathia cluster is a male flower surrounded by bisexual ones. Such combinations of double and single sex flowers occur on many other Euphorbia species as well. These flowers appear from May and some may still be seen by November.

There are many short-lived, lanceolate leaves at the tips of the young branches in winter. The stem markings where the leaves drop off will soon be all that remains of them. The photo was taken in the West Coast National Park in August (www.namibrand.com).