Care of the succulent plant Euphorbia heptagona or Anthacantha desmetiana |
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The genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, includes 2,000 species of succulents, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Euphorbia heptagona, Euphorbia meloformis, Euphorbia lomelii, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia grandicornis, Euphorbia flanaganii, Euphorbia enterophora, Euphorbia enopla, Euphorbia echinus, Euphorbia cotinifolia, Euphorbia coerulescens, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia candelabrum, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia resinifera, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia tithymaloides, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia bivonae, Euphorbia rigida, Euphorbia handiensis, Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia leucocephala. Scientific synonym: Anthacantha desmetiana. This species is native to South Africa. They are branched succulent plants of shrubby bearing that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The fleshy stems, green or bluish, have 7-10 ribs with tubers and long spines of garnet color when they sprout (later gray or whitish). They are dioecious plants that produce small, little decorative flowers in female plants and male plants. They bloom in summer. They are used in pots and planters, in rockeries and in cactus and succulent gardens. Euphorbia heptagone can grow in full sun or semi-shade exposure. They need warm climates with winter temperatures above 10 ºC (50 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a normal garden substrate with plenty of coarse sand. The transplant is done in spring. Water moderately, waiting for the soil to be dry; they resist drought very well. In winter do not water. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering. They propagate by cuttings in summer (do not touch the irritating latex of these plants) or by seeds sown in spring in the seedbed. |
Imagen of the succulent plant Euphorbia heptagona or Anthacantha desmetiana |
 Euphorbia heptagona  Euphorbia heptagona |