Publication: Sp. Pl. 1: 450. 1753 [1 May 1753]
Description
Euphorbia heptagona is an old species described by Linnaeus just in 1753. Now the name ‘heptagona’ and is specifically applied to the large erect-stemmed, freely branched plants 60 to 120 cm in height and is not cushion-like. No less than 4 varieties (outside the typical) have been described on the strength of dentate angles, subsessile cyathia, cyme arrangement and greenish (not brown) spines; all of these could encompass the variability of a species which is, itself, very closely aligned with Euphorbia atrispina and Euphorbia enopla.
Taxinomic note: Described in 1828, Euphorbia atrispina is the oldest name for three spiny shrubs (The ‘cushion’ Euphorbia atrispina, and the larger, bushy Euphorbia enopla and Euphorbia enopla). All them are very similar and are difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish, while the varieties of Euphorbia heptagona are taxonomic nonsense.
Origin and Habitat
Euphorbia heptagona occur on the sides of kloofs and in the mountains of Ladismith and Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and Prince Albert to the north of the Swartberg.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
- Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01 June 2000