Euphorbia globosa aka Globose Euphorbia

Euphorbia globosa is a small succulent, a plant that stores water. It belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. People call it globose spurge or roundish-jointed spurge. It comes from South Africa's Cape region, where the climate is subtropical. Records place it near Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth. Both sites lie in the Eastern Cape. This plant grows slowly and can live for many years. Its low, jointed stems form a dense cushion, not an upright shrub.

The plant grows about 0.26 feet (0.08 metres) tall. Clumps spread to about 0.98 feet (0.30 metres) across. Stems branch from a swollen base, called a caudiciform base. Thin joints link round or almost round stem sections. Each section can reach 0.10 feet (0.03 metres) wide. The stems have no spines. Small, lance-shaped leaves, called lanceolate leaves, appear but fall early. They reach just 0.01 feet (0.003 metres) long. Roots may form thick, tuberous parts. Plants do not always grow a main taproot.

The greenish-yellow flower heads have the shape of a star. These heads, called cyathia, grow alone or in small groups. Some have short stalks; others have long, thin stalks. The longest reach about 0.26 feet (0.08 metres). Each head has a cup-like part called an involucre. It holds five glands, each split into thin sections. The middle sections may fork into more branches. Flowering stems may look like clubs, balls, or cylinders. The ball-shaped stems may be almost round rather than fully round. These stems can drop off. On plants grown in gardens or pots, they often stay.

Give this species sun and a mineral growing mix. The mix must let water drain freely from the roots. The plant can also grow in moderate shade. Move shade-grown plants into full sun in small steps. A sudden change can cause severe scorch. Give small amounts of water in summer. Keep the plant dry through winter. Once settled, it can stay in the same soil and spot for years. Its roots let growers use a fairly shallow pot.

Its compact cushion and bead-like stems give it a distinct shape in pots. Pruning may keep clumps neat when branches grow untidy. Grow new plants from seed in spring or summer. You can also take cuttings or split larger clumps. The supplied species accounts give no frost limit. They do not state when it blooms or describe its fruit. They give no records of specific pests or diseases. They do not establish edible uses. Nor do they establish safety for people or pets.