– Euphorbia iharanae (2012)

By Dawn Kohler (August 2012)

Euphorbia iharanae is a threatened Euphorbia species native to Madagascar’s coastal cliffs and rocky shores near Cap-Manambato, the Iharana district. It is fairly new to succulent cultivators and scientists. Its discovery was first published in 1995.

Euphorbia iharanae have a rosette of large leaves on a fattened, clublike stem. E. iharanae’s leaves are light green marbled by a darker green pigment. The leaves are covered in noticeable soft hair. Like all euphorbias, the sap is poisonous.

Euphorbia iharanae need average water, mildly alkaline, and mildly acidic soil. E. iharanae likes temperatures around 57 degrees F. They can be fertilized and started from seed like Euphorbia viguieri.

Euphorbia iharanae are becoming more popular with horticulturists and cactus collectors. There were several at our cactus show and sale this year. Last year, I purchased a seedling E. iharanae grown by one of our members, and it is doing really well along with the large E. iharanae that I won as an attendance prize. I really enjoy growing these plants.