Friday, July 30, 2010

Euphorbia columnaris


At first glance, one might think it is a cactus, but it is a Euphorbia. It is one of those adaptation things. Plants that are exposed to the same dry conditions sometimes develop the same adaptations: the accordion fold that can expand and contract easily as the moisture is taken up and used up, the succulent habit, the spines. Aren't those "cow horn" spines cute? They are different from cactus spines, and the flowers are different from cactus flowers. This specimen is in bloom now in the Arid House at the UC Botanical Garden.

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