Euphorbia aeruginosa Succulent

Euphorbia aeruginosa Origin and Habitat: Republic of South Africa, Mpumalanga, formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal (Northern slopes of the Soutpansberg in the Northern Province and throughout the length of the Limpopo valley)
Altitude range: 305-885 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It grows rock crevices.

• Euphorbia aeruginosa Schweick.

Description: Euphorbia aeruginosa is a very decorative spiny, succulent, forming dwarf, shrubs 15-30 cm in height (up to 40 cm recorded north of Punda Milia) and a subterranean caudex. Branches bluish-grey or brownish-green with many brownish spines. Branching occurs at or below ground level and above too. Its name, which means ‘verdigris’, refers to the coppery-green branches which have contrasting reddish-brown spines. This species, like the closely related Euphorbia schinzii, shows considerable variation.
Habit: E. aeruginosa has a thickened main stem (continuation of the main root) forming a somewhat thickened, but not tuberous, body, mostly buried in the ground and much branched at soil level. Plants growing in full sun on rocky slopes form compact clumps from a single low stem, whereas plants growing in deep shade in humus tend to be almost prostrate, with thinner branches and longer, thinner, red spines.
Roots: Thickened merging into the stem.
Stems: Repeatedly-branching. Branches bluish-grey or copper-green, subcylindric, terete to 15 cm long, 5-7.5 mm in diameter, indistinctly 4-5 angled, often spirally twisted.
Spine shield: Obovate, to 7 x 3 mm, in 4 slightly spiral series, separate, stout, horny, rusty brown in colour.
Spines: Two, paired up to 2 cm long, and also often a basal spine to 1.5 mm long.
Stipular Spines: Two small above the spines less than 4 mm long.
Inflorescences (cymes): Solitary, simple, sessile.
Flowers (cyathia): Small bright yellow c. 3 mm in diameter; nectar-glands oblong, just touching.
Blooming season: Rows of beads of tiny bright yellow flowers dot the stems making a cheery sight in late winter to spring.
Fruits (capsules): Obtusely lobed, 3 mm in diameter, subsessile containing three large seeds.