| I bought a Euphorbia Rubra today. Is it a perennial or annual? Does it bloom? |
| The family Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) contains about 2000 species including poinsettia, gopher plant, and the weedy garden spurges. I cannot identify your plant other than to explain that the 'rubra' probably means red-leafed. The succulent species look amazingly like cacti, but they are not closely related. They can be identified by their milky sap (latex) and their tiny flowers. Many species can be grown comfortably in pots, although they are not as popular as the cacti. The baseball plant (Euphorbia obesa) is a small spherical species with attractive patterning. Other species, such as E. pseudocactus, are spiny, succulent shrubs. E. stellaespina is notable for its branched thorns. To thrive, Euphorbias need a rich, well-drained soil, summer heat, and exposure to full sunshine. Euphoribias do bloom, but the flower color and shape varies with the species. Hope the above information at least gives you basic information about your new plant. |
