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Ever-bloomer in two forms Euphorbia baylissii from Mosambique Of the spiny euphorbias,
E.baylissii is one of the most rewarding species. It is easy to care for, stays
small in cultivation and flowers almost non-stop. The cyathia occur in groups
of three. The centre cyathium develops first, after this has withered the
outer cyathia develop. Every single cyathium lasts for several weeks. Main flowering period is February
to March and again May to October, but there are always some cyathia present.
Only in January does it take a short rest. |
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Two quite different forms of
E.baylissii are known. The pictures on the left show the normal form, a
small, compact plant with thin branches, not very sharp edges and a zig-zag
pattern. The pictures on the right
show forma mozambizensis which used to be a species in its own right. The
plants grow larger, the branches thicker, the edges are winged and the spines
sit on wart-like tubercles. The pattern is so widely smudged that the
branches appear to be pale green to dull yellow. The lower photo on the right
shows an intermediate form which takes on a red hue when grown in direct sun. For pollination of the
bisexual cyathia two different clones are required. For unknown reasons seed
is seldom produced even after artificial pollination, and the seeds are
rarely viable. Propagation by means of cuttings is a lot more successful. In winter E.baylissii should be kept warm (min 15°C)
and dry. The growth period is from
March to September, whereas it takes a short break from the end of April
until the beginning of May. During this time however it can be watered
without doing any harm. |
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Similar small and
floriferous species - E. gemmea: with thin branches and pale red cyathia - E. eyassiana: with red-green to pink body colour and orange
cyathia Sources for E.baylissii: US: Aridlands |
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