Euphorbia hofstaetteri Photo by: K.k. Agrawal
Origin and Habitat: South-west Madagascar, near Tongobory. from the Toliara region (may possibly be found in La Table, near Tulear). This species has not been collected again, and is likely to have a very restricted range. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are unknown.
Habitat and Ecology: Euphorbia hofstaetteriSN|35232]]SN|35232]] is likely to occur on rocky area amongst the south-west dry bush. Habitat degradation, fire, habitat clearing for charcoal, collection for the horticultural trade.
Synonyms:
Description: Euphorbia hofstaetteriSN|27226]]SN|35232]] is one of the thicker stemmed species belonging to the Euphorbia milii group. It is a remarkable shrubby Euphorbia to 70 cm tall, that has velvety leaves with a hint of a red margin. The stems of this shrubby species are swollen at the base, and are densely covered with spines. The flowers ( cyathia) are yellow-green with decumbent, red-brown striped, green cyathophylls (petal-like bracts). This Euphorbia resembles Euphorbia croizatii, which comes from the extreme south between Ambovombe and Ifotaka, or Euphorbia rossiiSN|35232]]SN|27226]] from the Mangoky river, which has a similar spination.
Derivation of specific name: hofstaetteri For Siegfried Hofstätter (fl. 1992), German plant importer.
Stem: Subglobose to 5 cm in diameter. Branches few, to 15 mm in diameter. Branchlets condensed to 2 cm.
Leaves: Ovate-lanceolate, up to 4 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, subsessile, deciduous, hairy, densely beneath. Leaves on branchlets smaller.
Stipular spines: In 5 vertical series, to 15 mm long, stout, spreading, bases enlarged, with several shorter spines.
Inflorescence: Cymes subterminal, 1- to 3-forked; peduncles 5 mm; cyathophylls spreading, overlapping, ovate-acute to 4 mm long and 2 mm wide, yellowish above, often red-striped below.
Flowers (cyathia): 2 mm across. Nectar-glands small, yellow-green. Ovary sparsely hairy, subsessile.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Werner Rauh, Herman Schwartz “Succulent and xerophytic plants of Madagascar”, Volume 2, Strawberry Press, 1998
2) Rauh, W. 1992. Euphorbia hofstaetteri Rauh, sp. nov., a new species from southern Madagascar. Cactus and Succulent Journal (USA) 64(3): 112-115.
3) Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton, “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Springer Science & Business Media, 29 June 2013
4) Urs Eggli, Heidrun E. K. Hartmann, “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
5) Haevermans, T. 2004. Euphorbia hofstaetteri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T44362A10886541. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T44362A10886541.en. Downloaded on 01 May 2018.
6) Tom Glavich “Succulent of the Month: Milii Type Euphorbias”. San Gabriel Valley
Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE, May 2016
