– Euphorbia iharanae (2015)

By Eric Driskill (July 2015)

Euphorbia iharanae grows in the northeastern section of Madagascar near Cap-Manambato in the Iharana district. The plants are coastal cliff dwellers close to the locality of Euphorbia capmanambatoensis.

E. iharanae is a small shrub that branches freely, eventually producing hemispherical cushions. Its limbs are 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter and sharply angled with spines in series along the angles.

Between the ridges of spines, the body starts out in shades of blue/brown and eventually ages into a gray. The leaves are white and hairy with incredible vein coloration. Leaves persistent during growth period, in terminal rosettes, ovate, 2 to 5 centimeters long and 2.5 centimeters wide. Petiole short, cymes developing before the leaves, yellow.

It is best to reduce watering Euphorbia iharanae during dormancy. The plants are propagated by seeds or cuttings. Propagation can be done by cuttings, but few people will be willing to cut branches off of a nice specimen plant. This species should be planted in a free-draining soil mix to avoid excess moisture.