Damara euphorbia

sDamara euphorbia (Euphorbia damarana): This plant is endemic to Namibia and as the common name suggests it grows mainly in Damaraland, central and northern Namib Desert usually on hill slopes and rocky plains. The multi-stemmed succulent shrub holds a milky latex and grows up to 2.5m high.

Branches are green-yellow to blue-green. The stem is somewhat stunted and can only be seen above ground level from close-up. Cyathia colour yellow from November to December and again in May and June. Fruit is encased in a rounded capsule on the straight stalks.

In the winter rhino and kudu eat the branches and ground squirrels eat the seeds. Larvae of the Spotless Policeman butterfly feed on the leaves of the Damara euphorbia.