Origin and Habitat: KwaZulu-Natal (only near Muden)?. culture Italy?
Habitat: Thorny bush-lands and savannah often forming colonies.

• Euphorbia pseudocactus A.Berger

• Euphorbia pseudocactus A.Berger
• Euphorbia х lyttoniana Dexter
• Euphorbia pseudocactus subs. lyttoniana (Dexter)
• Euphorbia pseudocactus f. cristata hort.

• Euphorbia pseudocactus cv. Miniature
• Euphorbia pseudocactus cv. Zig Zag

Description: Euphorbia pseudocactusSN|14288]]SN|14288]] is a multi-branched, dwarf-stemmed succulent shrub that, as its name suggests, resembles a cactus. The stems often have distinctive yellow V-shaped markings. Plants eventually form large mounded clumps brancing from the base and above, 60-120 cm tall and up to 2 m in diameter.
Stem: Acutely-angled, irregular, constricted in broad, twisted, obovate to triangular segments about 5-15 cm long, which usually represents a year of growth. These segments are green of varying shades, conspicuously and ornamentally decorated with horizontal or "U" shaped grey-yellow or greenish-yellow markings. The difference in colour and markings has lead to the introduction of invalid names based purely on colour. On cross section the segments have very thin walls and irregular diameter varying from 2,5 to 7 cm.
Ribs: 3 to 5 (but usually 4) angular with wavy edges and sinuate teeth up to 1.5 cm apart.
Stipular spines: Stout 5-12 mm long joined in a horny margin. This margin is usually a white/grey, as are the spines. These often have a dark brown or black tip.
Leaves: Leaves only appear briefly, less then 3 mm at the very tips of the growing canters only, briefly in summer.
Inflorescences (cymes): 1-3 in an horizontal line from the "flowering eyes", mid-way between each set of spines, simple. Peduncles 2 mm.
Flowers (cyathia): Up to 7 mm across. Nectar glands oblong, yellow and touching.
Fruits (capsules): Subsessile, acutely lobed, to 14 mm across.
Seeds: Subglobose, 3 mm in diameter smooth.
Bloom Season: Late winter through Late Summer

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Volume 2. Springer, 2002
2) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/giu/2000
3) Gideon Smith, Neil R. Crouch “Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa” Struik Nature, 01/nov/2009
4) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011
5) White, A., Dyer, R.A. & Sloane, B.L. 1941.”The succulent Euphorbieae, vol. 2.“ Abby Garden Press. Pasadena, California.
6) Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae” Volume 1 Blandford Press, 1960
7) Hermann Jacobsen “Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
8) The Euphorbia Journal-Strawberry Press-Vol.1 Page 106/Vol 5 Page 144.

Cultivation and Propagation: Euphorbia pseudocactusSN|14288]]SN|14288]] is an easy species to grow that is suited for any well drained soil in full sun. But young plant are happy growing indoors.
Growth rate: It is a relatively fast growing and long lived plant and once established, it will be content in its position and with its soil for years.
Soil: Give the plant an airy growing medium which mainly consists of non organic material such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould.
Repotting: It Like quite small pots, repott in very later winter, early spring.
watering: Water regularly during the active growing season from March to September. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. If plant becomes very red, this is a sign that the roots have not developed properly.
Exposure: It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun.
Maintenance: Plants can be pruned for shape and branching.
Hardiness: Frost tender, frost free zones only.
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: It is easy to propagate by cuttings in late spring to summer, just take a cutting of the plant let it dry for 1 or 2 weeks and stuff it in the ground (preferably dry, loose, extremely well draining soil).
Warning: All Euphorbias contain a white sap that can be irritating to eyes and mucous membranes. If contact is made with this white sap, take care to not touch face or eyes before washing hands with soap and water.