Euphorbia flanaganii
Family: Euphorbiaceae​
​Common Name: Medusa head
Origin: Euphorbia flanaganii originates from the sandy grasslands of South Africa – the Eastern Cape to the former Transkei.
Description: E. flanaganii is a low, spineless succulent that forms many branches, resembling the legendary Medusa’s snake-like hair. The central stem creates a tuberous body called a caudex with roots and branches extending, growing new arms from the edges. If satisfied, mature plants will produce yellow-green flowers (cyathia) from the head of branches in spring and summer.
  • Interesting Features:
    • The fruit that develops from E. flanaganii pops open “explosively” when ripe.
    • The clusters of large specimens will develop into the shape of a Fibonacci spiral.
    • ​When the plant is dry, the arms will curl toward the center, warning of a need for water.
  • Uses: Other than its ornamental use in gardening, the Medusa’s head succulent has been marketed in South Africa as a traditional medicine. The latex is used during pregnancy, as a purgative, and can be applied to wounds or skin lesions.

Cultivation and Care:
  • Watering: Low
    • E. flanaganii is not as drought tolerant as other succulents, and should be watered often - when the soil is dry a few inches below the surface. Water deeply, with weekly watering in summer, but do not allow soil to become water-logged. Suspend irrigation in winter, unless the succulent begins to shrivel.
  • Soil: Provide well-draining succulent or cactus soil with pumice and coarse sand. Tolerates a wide range of pH conditions (6.1-7.8) if provided with good drainage.
  • Lighting: Full sun is essential, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimum growth. In very hot climates, provide afternoon shade to avoid heat stress.
  • Propagation: Euphorbia flanaganii can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or offsets. Mature plants will produce pups on the end of arms, from which a new caudex will emerge. These can be allowed to root, or can be removed to create a new plant.
  • Cold Tolerance: 25°F, USDA Hardiness zones 9b-11.
  • Special Accommodations: Use caution when handling – caustic, milky sap emerges from E. flanaganii when cut, capable of causing skin rashes, itching or irritation. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer with a water-based fertilizer.

Sources:
  1. Llifle Encyclopedia of Succulents
  2. Dave's Garden
  3. World of Succulents
  4. South African National Biodiversity Institute
  5. Garden
  6. Gardening Know How