Description
Euphorbia piscidermis (a.k.a. Fish Skin Euphorbia) is an attractive dwarf succulent Euphorbia covered with characteristic “fish-scales” that looks something like a small golf ball, no one would suspect it of being a Euphorbia when it is not in flower. E. piscidermis has a very unique look and is amongst the most desirable of all collectors’ plants.
Forma cristata: The crested form Euphorbia piscidermis - despite to its beauty - is still very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features. It is one of the more striking and priced crested succulent. It shows different crested shapes each of them has it own particular fascination.
Origin and Habitat
Euphorbia piscidermis is native to Ethiopia (Ogaden, Harerge Prov.)
Altitude: 1000-1050 metres above sea level.
Ecology: Grows in a very open deciduous bushland with main cover of low shrublets belonging to the Acanthaceae and Labiatae on stony limestone ridges. The plant is restricted to two very local patches.
Cultivation and Propagation
The “Fish Skin Euphorbia” is a difficult species to grow on its own roots and is usually grafted for convenience on Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia ingens or Euphorbia resinifera but it can be easily degrafted by those who wish to try to grow them on their own roots. If you remove an offset, remember to let it dry for a week or so, letting the wound heal (cutting planted to soon easily rot before they can grow roots). It is better to wash the cut to remove the latex. They grow well in a very draining mineral potting substrate.
Growth rate: Euphorbia piscidermis on its own roots, it is very slow growing.
Frost Tolerance: Need frost protection. Recommended minimum temperature is 12 °C or even above.
Sun Exposure: Light shade.
Propagation: Grafting. The plants that are grafted on a more vigorous and easier stocks are easier to keep, grow faster and produce more flowers and seeds. The method of grafting euphorbias differs little from that of other succulents, except in one important aspect. The latex must be washed or sprayed off until hardly anything remains. After the latex flow has stopped, a further 1-2 mm slice can be taken from both surfaces without a new latex flow starting. Both scion and stock need to be at the start of the growing season. The stock should be cut as near as possible to the growing tip, as here the vascular bundles are dense and not yet woody and will feed the scion in the best possible way. Where possible stock and scion should be of similar diameter. The cut surfaces are held together with elastic bands in cross style, over the plant top and under the pot. The plants should be left in an airy and shady place for 7-10 days before the bands are removed.
Warning: As with all other Euphorbias when a plant get damaged it exudes a thick white milky sap known as latex. This latex is poisonous and particularly dangerous for the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. So pay extreme attention not to get any in your eyes or mouth. Cultivated plants must be handled carefully.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer, 2001
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«Euphorbia piscidermis». Conservatorio y Jardín Botánico de Ginebra: Flora africana. http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=106539 retrieved on 17/Sep/2013
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