Euphorbia canariensis

Canary Island Spurge, La Gomera

The Canary Island Spurge (Euphorbia canariensis) (Spanish for " cardón " ) is a plant of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbia ) in the family of Euphorbiaceae ( Euphorbiaceae ). It is endemic to the Canary Islands and a characteristic element of Sukkulentenbuschzone the Canary Islands.

Features

The Canary Island Spurge is a stem succulent plant that reaches a height of 3 m. It is highly branched basally ( up to 100 drives) and can reach several meters in diameter. The individual shoots are like candelabra curved upwards. Branches above the base are rare. The individual drives have a diameter of 8 to 15 cm in cross section. They are four -or six- edged. On the ribs sit in pairs one above the other 4 to 5 mm long, slightly curved, brownish spines. Sitting at the shoot ends greenish red cyathia: three in a row, two female and one male mid cyathium. They have a diameter of about 8 mm. The adrenal glands are elliptical and dark red. After fertilization produces two rows of reddish brown to dark red seed capsules (diameter: 5-6 mm). The seeds are approximately spherical with a smooth surface. The milky juice of the Canary Island Spurge contains diterpenes and is highly toxic.

Locations and distribution

The Canary Island Spurge is, as the name suggests, endemic to the Canary Islands. It is present on all the islands, however, already become rare in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. She is one of the characteristic species of succulent zone and comes from about 50 m to about 1100 m above sea level before. In this zone, it often forms large stocks, which are referred to in Spanish as " cardonales ". In the shelter of larger specimens of the Canary Island Spurge often grow more plants that are thereby protected from grazing goats.