= Euphorbia milii cv. antafikiensis
Accepted Scientific Name: Euphorbia milii Des Moul.
Bull. Hist. Nat. Soc. Linn. Bordeaux 1: 27 1826
Euphorbia antafikiensis (Euphorbia milii cv. antafikiensis) Photo by: Sándor Horváth
Origin and Habitat: Unknown, (Madagascar?)
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Euphorbia milii
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii Des Moul.Bull. Hist. Nat. Soc. Linn. Bordeaux 1: 27 1826Synonymy: 12
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. bevilaniensis (Croizat) Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5: 150 1955Synonymy: 3
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (N.E.Br.) Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5: 148 1954Synonymy: 5
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. imperatae (Leandri) Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5: 150. 1954[1955] (nom. inval. Art. 36.1)Synonymy: 2
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. longifolia RauhKakteen Sukk. 18: 182-184, ills., 1967
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. roseana Marn.-Lap.Cactus (Paris) 73–74: 1 1962
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. splendens (Bojer ex Hook.) Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5: 148 1954Synonymy: 8
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. tananarivae (Leandri) Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5:150 1955 5:150 1955Synonymy: 2
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. tenuispina Rauh & Razaf.Euphorbia J. 7: 34 (1991)
Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. tulearensis Ursch & LeandriMém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, Biol. Vég. 5: 152. 1954Accepted name in llifle Database:Euphorbia milii var. vulcani LeandriNotul. Syst. (Paris) 12: 159. 1946 (nom. inval. Art. 36.1)
Cultivars
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Description: Euphorbia miliiSN|32372]]SN|23360]] 'antafikiensis' is a nice Madagascan spiny euphorbia only known in cultivation. It is clearly part of the larger Euphorbia milii complex and distinguish by the yellow-white cyathophylls with green cyathia, and the dark green leaves. It is commonly known in cultivation as Euphorbia antafikiensisSN|23360]]SN|32372]] an undescribed name (n.n.). As is implied by the specific name, this should come from an unmapped place called Antafik localized somewhere in Madagascar.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Euphorbia milii group
- Euphorbia milii Des Moul.: is a semi-prostrate shrub to ca. 1.5-1.8 m tall. Stems ca.1 cm in diameter. Leaves obovate ca 1.5-2 cm broad, margins entire. Spines 1-2(-3) cm long. Cyathophylls brilliant red.
- Euphorbia milii var. bevilaniensis (Croizat) Ursch & Leandri: has inverted triangular leaves, shoots about 5 mm in diameter and up to 1 cm long thorns. Distribution: Southern Madagascar (between Anosy and Adroy District) on gneiss rocks.
- Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (N.E.Br.) Ursch & Leandri: is sturdy robust plant, up to 2 m tall. Stems erect sparsely branched, ca. 2 cm thick; leaves to c. 12 × 3 cm, lanceolate, cyathophylls, and both red and yellow. Distribution: Central Madagascar. Known only in culture (as a hedge plant).
- Euphorbia milii var. imperatae (Leandri) Ursch & Leandri: forms small shrubs (up to 50 cm large) with only 5 mm thick branches, leaves ovate, to 10-7 cm. Inflorescence short only 1-or 2- flowered. Cyathophylls yellow, tending to fade to a slightly pink tint. Distribution: Eastern Madagascar in coastal forests.
- Euphorbia milii var. longifolia Rauh: ha basally branching branches up to 2 cm thick, leaves lineaar to 20x1 cm, cyathophylls large and yellow. Distributiom: Central Madagascar on granite rocks. and differs mainly by
- Euphorbia milii f. lutea Leandri: has small, variably yellow flowers, up to 1.2 cm broad.
- Euphorbia milii var. roseana Marn.-Lap.: has upright branches, leaves lanceolate, to 9 x 2.5 cm, inflorescences bifurcate, cyathophylls whitish yellow. Central southern Madagascar (Sakaraha) in forests.
- Euphorbia milii var. splendens (Bojer ex Hook.) Ursch & Leandri: forms larger shrubs (up to 2 m tall ). stems sprawling with spreading branches, ca. 1 cm thick; bright green leaves to ca. 6 × 2 cm, ovate. Spines basally compressed and sometimes yellow cyathophylls. Distribution: Central Madagascar.
- Euphorbia milii var. tananarivae (Leandri) Ursch & Leandri: forms large shrubs up to 2 m, to 3 cm thick branches and up to 8 × 10 mm yellow, red-rimmed cyathophylls. Distribution: Central Madagascar. Known only in culture (as a hedge plant).
- Euphorbia milii var. tenuispina Rauh & Razaf.: has very slender spines thickened and bulbous at the base. Distribution: Southern Madagascar (in the mountains around Ihosy and Isalo ).
- Euphorbia milii var. tulearensis Ursch & Leandri: has smaller, up to 1 cm long thorns and bright red cyathophylls. Distribution: South-western Madagascar (at Toliara).
- Euphorbia milii var. vulcani Leandri: has bluish-green, to 20 × 5 cm large leaves, spines about 1 cm long, arranged in ten rows. Inflorescences long, four times bifurcated. Central to southern Madagascar (between Betafo and Ambatofinandrahana).
- Euphorbia milii cv. antafikiensis: has yellow-white cyathophylls with green cyathia, and dark green leaves. It is known in cultivation only.
Cultivation and Propagation: Euphorbia milii is widely cultivated as an ornamental, and is a particular favourite houseplants. Cultivation of this plant is the same as that for the other shrubby varieties of Euphorbia from tropical areas (Madagascar, and central Africa), but it is one the easiest of all.
Growth rate: It is a relatively fast growing species.
Exposure: Full sun to lit shade appears to be the optimum range, but can tolerate the most 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.
Wind and salt tolerance: This species is particularly tolerant of seaside conditions and salt spray, making it an excellent choice for planting along the coasts.
Waterings: Relatively flexible in its watering requirements. They can be watered regularly as long as the medium is open and well drained. As with any normal plant when watering, it is best to do so thoroughly, until a little water comes out through the drain holes. Allow the medium to dry out somewhat between waterings. Reduce watering to once every 1 month during winter. Space plants apart to allow air movement between branches and leaves. This will help with evaporation of extra water droplets collected during watering.
Soil: The ideal potting-medium is one with good moisture-retaining capacity but open and well drained with some extra manure for added nutrition.
Fertilization: Regular fertilizing with low nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium ratios are preferred. Feed during spring and summer to mid autumn and withhold feeding during winter.
Maintenance: Tall plant will benefit from being staked, with bamboo or other suitable stakes. In the absence of staking, the stems of the plants may snap under the weight.
Hardiness: Very tender, protect from frost. As the natural way they need in winter at least 12 to 15 °, with adequate irrigation but have no problems with it, to stand next to radiators.
Pest and diseases: Mildew can occur in high humidity.
Propagation: Cuttings It is recommend taking Euphorbia cuttings in Spring/Summer when the plant is growing so that they have a better chance of success. They key is heat & good air circulation. These cuttings should be dipped in Hormone powder (but it is not needed) and left for a period of 3-4 weeks to callous. Then pot the cutting and don't water ( or kept slightly moist) until rooted. These will root just fine, if you can put the pot outside in the summer, or put pot on a heating pad.
Warning: The milky sap produced by this shrub has been known to cause burning and blistering of the skin, and even temporary blindness, and death may result if any of its parts are eaten. All of these problems can be avoided if care is taken when handling the plant.