Which of the Euphorbia family is a cactus?
Cactaceae
There are more than 2,000 species of Euphorbia, including such popular houseplants as mottled spurge (Euphorbia lactea), pencil tree (E. tirucalli) and crown of thorns (E. milii). Cacti are a family, the Cactaceae.
Why cactus and Euphorbia evolved similar features?
The many similarities between euphorbia and cacti result from convergent evolution. For example, both euphorbias and cacti are stem succulents, a type of plant that stores water in stem tissues. This adaptation, along with lack of leaves, allows these plants to survive in highly arid conditions.
What characteristics do cactus and euphorbias share?
Both plant species have developed succulent, thick stems ideal for water storage, spines for protection and both are well adapted to cope with the low rainfall and arid climate of desert regions.
Is Euphorbia Trigona a cactus?
The African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona) is native to Central Africa. It is often grown as a hedge there, useful for its rapid and enthusiastic growth, though its roots are not invasive. Though it looks a lot like a cactus, it is actually a succulent plant.
What makes a Euphorbia a Euphorbia?
What makes a Euphorbia? All flowers in the Euphorbiaceae are unisexual (either male or female only), and they are often very small in size. In Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced even more and then aggregated into an inflorescence or cluster of flowers known as a “cyathium” (plural cyathia).
Is Euphorbia a succulent?
About SUCCULENT EUPHORBIAS. Euphorbia is a huge genus composed of plants with milky sap, including spurges and poinsettias. Those that are succulents range from marble-size spheres to 30-foot trees. Scroll down for a Gallery of readily available succulent euphorbias for residential gardens.
What are the adaptations of a Euphorbia?
Ecol., Oxford, 52: 481–490. Bannister P. (1964b): The water relations of certain heath plants with reference to their ecological amplitude. III.
What are cactus spines?
Spines are also modified leaves. In cacti, spines are wholly transformed leaves that protect the plant from herbivores, radiate heat from the stem during the day, and collect and drip condensed water vapour during the cooler night.
Can I cut the top off my cactus?
Answer: Yes you can cut the top off of the cactus and plant it. The cactus plant will ooze sap and it will take a long time for the cactus plant part left in the ground to heal than the cut off cactus plant portion.
Is Euphorbia an evergreen?
Under shrubs and trees and along fence lines, varieties of euphorbia amygdaloides grow well. The glossy evergreen leaves catch the eye throughout the year while lime green spring flowers lighten shady corners.