Euphorbia gariepina subsp. gariepina

Euphorbia gariepina subsp. gariepina, sometimes called the Gariepmelkbos (Gariep milkbush), is found close to the Gariep River in the Richtersveld as the name suggests, and also in Bushmanland to the east of it. In this barren part of the world these plants may appear on bare soil among rocks and pebbles, creating their own above-ground protective stem covering for cooling the ground where the roots reside.

After rain this changes fast as dormant seeds, having lain in wait for ages, suddenly germinate. Moisture and every available nutrient is used to produce seed before the next test is posed. During drought in hot or cold phases, geophytes are forced underground, shrubs lose their leaves and annuals disappear, leaving just a legacy of seed. In the case of E. gariepina subsp. gariepina, a stem succulent, the leafless stems hold the fortitude key (Van Rooyen and Van Rooyen, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006; iNaturalist).

(There are more E. gariepina subsp. gariepina photos and stories in the Euphorbia Album under Genera.)