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Euphorbia hofstaetteri Rauh

Family: EUPHORBIACEAE

Publication: Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 64: 112 1992.

Description

Euphorbia hofstaetteri is one of the thicker stemmed species belonging to the Euphorbia milii group. It is a remarkable shrubby Euphorbia to 70 cm tall, that has velvety leaves with a hint of a red margin. The stems of this shrubby species are swollen at the base, and are densely covered with spines. The flowers ( cyathia) are yellow-green with decumbent, red-brown striped, green cyathophylls (petal-like bracts). This Euphorbia resembles Euphorbia croizatii, which comes from the extreme south between Ambovombe and Ifotaka, or Euphorbia rossii from the Mangoky river, which has a similar spination.

Derivation of specific name: hofstaetteri For Siegfried Hofstätter (fl. 1992), German plant importer.

Stem: Subglobose to 5 cm in diameter. Branches few, to 15 mm in diameter. Branchlets condensed to 2 cm.

Leaves: Ovate-lanceolate, up to 4 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, subsessile, deciduous, hairy, densely beneath. Leaves on branchlets smaller.

Stipular spines: In 5 vertical series, to 15 mm long, stout, spreading, bases enlarged, with several shorter spines.

Inflorescence: Cymes subterminal, 1- to 3-forked; peduncles 5 mm; cyathophylls spreading, overlapping, ovate-acute to 4 mm long and 2 mm wide, yellowish above, often red-striped below.

Flowers (cyathia): 2 mm across. Nectar-glands small, yellow-green. Ovary sparsely hairy, subsessile.

Origin and Habitat

South-west Madagascar, near Tongobory. from the Toliara region (may possibly be found in La Table, near Tulear). This species has not been collected again, and is likely to have a very restricted range. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are unknown.

Habitat and Ecology: Euphorbia hofstaetteri is likely to occur on rocky area amongst the south-west dry bush. Habitat degradation, fire, habitat clearing for charcoal, collection for the horticultural trade.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

  1. Werner Rauh, Herman Schwartz “Succulent and xerophytic plants of Madagascar”, Volume 2, Strawberry Press, 1998

  2. Rauh, W. 1992. Euphorbia hofstaetteri Rauh, sp. nov., a new species from southern Madagascar. Cactus and Succulent Journal (USA) 64(3): 112-115.

  3. Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton, “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Springer Science & Business Media, 29 June 2013

  4. Urs Eggli, Heidrun E. K. Hartmann, “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002

  5. Haevermans, T. 2004. Euphorbia hofstaetteri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T44362A10886541. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44362A10886541.en. Downloaded on 01 May 2018.

  6. Tom Glavich “Succulent of the Month: Milii Type Euphorbias”. San Gabriel Valley

Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE, May 2016