Euphorbia ramiglans now E. caput-medusae

The cyathia of Euphorbia ramiglans are like those of E. caput-medusae, the species into which it and some other west coast Euphorbia species have been sunken. The now discarded specific name, ramiglans, was derived from the Latin words ramus meaning branch and glans meaning gland, referring to the branched glands around the rest of the cyathium.

Only later were the dots connected about this plant’s identity when the sand-dwelling Medusa euphorbia raised its thick-haired, green head to full effect in botanical nomenclature. Looking at the intricate floral details may bring relief that one does not have to unravel non-existent differences between the earlier separate species. Looking at the mother of all Medusas would have turned one into stone, so the story goes.

The Richtersveld where this plant gained and lost its E. ramiglans name is the driest part of South Africa. This remote and barren land is still cloaked in some romantic and biological mystery, from the time of the geologist, E. A. Richter who explored it in 1830 and for whom the region was named.

Pervasive goat farming in these parts has brought overgrazing and unscientific farming methods, leaving loss and scars on soil and vegetation. The delicate balance is managed or “managed” by people committed to charity beginning at home, the people. If the indigenous vegetation is lost, charity cannot deliver to anybody including the people who live here. The plants soldier on as best they can in their insecure world, awaiting the rumoured climate change passively (Frandsen, 2017; Williamson, 2010; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).