Pictures from Phoenix and sometimes from the surrounding cities that make up the "Valley of the Sun"
Friday, August 14, 2009
Leafy Cactus
Here is an unusual cactus that has leaves as well as thorns. Some people around here call it a Madagascar Palm Cactus and others call it a Good Luck Cactus.
If Google has served me well, its official name is Euphorbia Trigona.
You top photo is best when enlarged, as there is a lot going on with this plant. Stalks are twisting around in every direction and leaves are bursting out at the end of each stalk.
Sharon, Euphorbias are a large genus of succulents but they are not cacti (I've heard this for the 1st time in Kenya, where they are huge, like trees). There are more than 2000 species and they can be totally different from each other. Some have the most unusual shapes an are truly fascinating. I keep several, a big Trigona included (the stem has 3 'surfaces' only) which is not the one you posted. They can also be extremely similar and sometimes it's really hard to identify the species... :-) By the way, do you know that the Poinsettia is also a Euphorbia? :-)
Here is an unusual cactus that has leaves as well as thorns. Some people around here call it a Madagascar Palm Cactus and others call it a Good Luck Cactus. 
You top photo is best when enlarged, as there is a lot going on with this plant. Stalks are twisting around in every direction and leaves are bursting out at the end of each stalk.
ReplyDeletea very interesting cactus indeed.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a leafy cactus. Is that close to your place?
ReplyDeleteWonder why they call it a good luck cactus? I try different cacti in my garden. I'll have to see if I can find this at dbg.
ReplyDeleteSharon, Euphorbias are a large genus of succulents but they are not cacti (I've heard this for the 1st time in Kenya, where they are huge, like trees). There are more than 2000 species and they can be totally different from each other. Some have the most unusual shapes an are truly fascinating. I keep several, a big Trigona included (the stem has 3 'surfaces' only) which is not the one you posted. They can also be extremely similar and sometimes it's really hard to identify the species... :-)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, do you know that the Poinsettia is also a Euphorbia? :-)