Euphorbia avasmontana stem-tip

Glossy brown spine pairs angle sideways, spaced along the (mostly only) five vertical ridges on this Euphorbia avasmontana stem. The young spines appear to have grown bigger from kinder nutrition levels than their predecessors lower down had enjoyed. Consequently they promise a more vigorous defence, provided that the enemy (read any trespasser), makes the moves. These stipular spines are about straight, joined in a horny ridge. The spines are from 1 cm to 2 cm long, present all along the length of the stem ridge.

Horizontal rows of three little pale yellow dots, like the letter S in Morse Code, occur on the stem ridges alternating with the spine pairs. (The letter O is produced orally by the victim. This is done only once he, she or it contacts the spines and completes the distress signal, should the pain allow for accurate sequencing of an SOS.)

The little dots will change, as every flower-like bride does after a day or so. They represent only the first phase of flowering. The cyathia, flowers or really false flowers, expand from the tiny bud beginnings, standing up proudly in due course on small peduncles like real flowers. There is an oblong nectar gland present next to the cyathia. A cyathium is about 8 mm in diameter. It leaves a small scar when it drops off.

When in full bloom the central flower will show itself to be a male, producing the pollen. The outer pair will be fully bisexual flowers. The male is thus a spare, just to make sure the ova have the best chance of fertilisation.

The upper ridges where the flowering cyathia are situated may also be dark maroon at bloomtime, whitish grey and dry soon afterwards as seen lower down (Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017; iNaturalist).