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Euphorbia neorubella
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common Name: red monadenium, red monadenium bonsai tree Synonyms: Monadenium rubellum, Monadenium montanum var. rubellum Origin: Euphorbia neorubella is native to Kenya, being found in dry rocky slopes at elevations of 4,000-5000 feet (1,2). Description: Euphorbia neorubella is a perennial succulent herb with a caudiciform trunk base, comprised of either a singular or cluster of tubers in a twisting formation, each up to 6 inches long (1,2,3). In habitat, younger plants will have a concealed caudex, as they age the tubers swell, they begin to be exposed above the soil surface, usually after 5 years of growth (2,7). This plant usually supports 1-3 stems from each caudex, increasing stem yield with age (1,2). Each stem can grow up to 12 inches long, initially with an upright formation until increasing elongation causes a decumbent growing habit (1,2,3,7). The stems have a ridged texture, with longitudinal purple and green striping (1,3). Its leaves are narrow and pointed with a smooth leaf margin, and its lamina has an overall purplish-green, sometimes red, streaking pattern with a deep purple underside (1,3,7). The leaves can have a reddish hue when the plant is growing in intense light (2). At each leaf axil there is dentate stipules with a sheath-like appearance (1,7). The tubular flowers can range from a pink to purple coloration and are usually 1.5 cm long, forming on a cyathium (1,3,4). The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule approximately 5mm long, with a truncated form where it meets the pedicle (1). The seeds are small and oblong, also with a truncated base, and are a light brown coloration (1).
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