Euphorbia pulvinata rock-hugging

The dome-shape of a Euphorbia pulvinata plant is made up of numerous stout, succulent branch-tips, arranged in a very special manner and keeping this pose while growing over many years.

The unusual appearance is brought about by the small and even length variations of the finger-like branches. The higher stem-tips in the centre have neighbours so gradually and systematically reduced in height outwards that the appearance of a smoothly curving-down surface of stem-tips is achieved.

New stems are added in the centre, the longer, angled-out outer ones keeping their positions in the overall effect towards the older margins. All stem-tips also maintain their productivity of leaves, flowers, fruits and spines over time. This intriguing growth habit shapes the cushions that make these plants special.

What happens at each stem-tip is quite similar to the stem-tip flowering, fruit and leaf bearing of many other Euphorbia species, and for that matter many other plant species as well, but it happens here so many times in such rigidly maintained order and regularity, as to be the envy of any life form battling with its own challenges of chaos (Frandsen, 2017; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; http://www.llifle.com; https://www.plantbook.co.za; https://worldofsucculents.com).