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Family: Euphorbiaceae
Scientific name:
Euphorbia turbiniformis
Chiovenda 1929
forma cristata
Origin:
This is a narrow endemic Euphorbia only in a small part of northeastern
Somalia. Once believed extinct, this species was originally
descibed by Emilio Chiovenda (1874-1941) in 'Flora Somala vol 3' en 1936
and newly rediscovered 32 years later by John J. Lavranos near Eil (Eyl)
in Somalia.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common Names include:
Description: Euphorbia turbiniformis is a
dwarf, globose succulent that live almost underground.
Stem: Spherical with a short
obconic caudex about 4 cm tall x 6-8 cm in diameter, it grows almost
buried in the soil and has lost all its spines. The apex is depressed an
the epidermis is smooth, shining. Usually it has a single
growing point, but in cultivation the plant can branch
dichotomously forming two to several apexes.
Flowers: The very small yellow cyathias ( both male and female)
are born on a short cymose inflorescence up to 5 mm long.
Remarks: Crested plants are very rare rare but time by time
seen in cultivation and sought after by collectors.
Cultivation: This species is always found grafted because it is
very difficult (if not impossible) to grow it on its own roots.
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