Description
Euphorbia meloformis has round green and purple banded, spineless stems with 8 to 12 ribs. It occasionally offsets from the base. It is very similar in look to Euphorbia obesa, but with small yellow flowers on long peduncles which dry and persist on the plant after blooming, It is quite common in cultivation, though less so than its relative Euphorbia obesa. Both species need male and female plants in order to set seed.
Remarks: E. meloformis cristata is a very beautiful strong green and purple banded crested plant with intricately undulating fan-shaped branches.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Like a sunny position. It does best in a mineral soil, good drainage is essential. Water sparingly during the summer months and keep dry in winter. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun.
Propagation: Grafting or sometime cuttings.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
- Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Volume 2. Springer, 2002
2)White, A., Dyer, R.A. & Sloane, B.L. ”The succulent Euphorbieae“ Abby Garden Press. Pasadena, California. 1941
-
Hermann Jacobsen ”A Handbook of Succulent Plants: Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
-
Stuart Max Walters “European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 1984
Gallery
