Euphorbia Stellata Caudex - Medusoid Euphorbia - Caudex

Euphorbia stellata

You will receive the exact, large specimen shown here.
Measures 9" wide x 6" tall above the soil line.
Showcased here in one-of-a-kind handmade pottery (sold separately).
Roots as shown.
Will be shipped bare root.

Euphorbia stellata is a rare and unique geophytic succulent native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, commonly known as Jellyfish Head or Star Euphorbia. It is prized by collectors for its unusual appearance, featuring a thick, turnip-shaped caudex (a water-storage organ) that supports radiating, octopus-like branches.

DESCRIPTION and CHARACTERISTICS:

• Appearance: The plant is a small, tuberous subshrub. Its main feature is the large, often underground, caudex which can be exposed for aesthetic purposes in cultivation. The branches grow outwards from the center in a star-shaped, or medusoid, pattern and can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
• Flowers: It produces small, waxy, greenish-yellow flowers (cyathia) along the edges of its branches during the spring and summer.
• Toxicity: Like all members of the Euphorbia family, it contains a milky sap that can be irritating to the skin and eyes and toxic if ingested. It should be handled with care, using gloves and eye protection when pruning or handling. 

CULTIVATION and CARE:

• Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade, but avoid intense afternoon sun to prevent burning.
• Soil: Requires a very well-draining, gritty soil mix (e.g., pumice, lava grit, a little peat or leaf-mould) to prevent root and caudex rot.
• Watering: Water moderately during the active growing season (spring and summer), allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During the winter dormancy period, keep the plant almost completely dry, only watering minimally if the branches start to shrivel.
• Temperature: It is not frost-hardy and needs to be overwintered in temperatures above 50°F (10°C). It thrives in warm temperatures generally between 60s to 80s °F.
• Propagation: It can be propagated from branch cuttings, which will form a caudex over time.
• Growth Rate: This species is a slow-growing plant.