Euphorbia Species, Milk Barrel

This plant is said to thrive on neglect. Healthy plants are very tough. Established plants are easy to grow but the trick is establishi...Read Moreng them. There are many varieties of this species, perhaps natural hybrids between it and taller Euphorbias, giving rise to the big, spiny forms like E. horrida noorvalescens. Some people refer to the different varieties with the species "parallel evolution".

This small, clumping attractive succulent is another commonly grown plant for xeriscape gardens. It is a pretty easy grow in well draini...Read Moreng, sandy soil, but will rot easily in clay soils, especially over wet, cold winters. There are several varieties, and there are several other Euphorbia species that look a lot like it. This is also a popular potted plant. This is a South African native.

I have to say this plant is somewhat variable, and I personally get it confused with Euphorbia polygona frequently, which often looks JUST LIKE some of the forms. THere is probably a floral difference, but since most E horrida I have were never labeled, some could be E polygona and I would never know it. Any help on this matter would be appreciated.