Euphorbia decepta

Euphorbia decepta is a rather unusual succulent from the Euphorbiaceae family, native to South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape region. In the wild, it grows in the dry Karoo regions, where it can be found on stony and clay-rich plains, often partially concealed beneath low-growing shrubs.

It is a small caudiciform succulent with a thickened stem that remains partly buried underground. Short, cylindrical branches grow outwards from the main stem, spreading in different directions. Its overall appearance resembles a miniature version of the well-known Euphorbia caput-medusae. The branches are grey-green to brownish green and have small raised tubercles on their surface. The leaves are very small, inconspicuous and soon fall off, so the plant is mainly appreciated for its unusual structure and distinctive growth habit. It generally remains low and compact.

The flowers are small, greenish to yellow-green and appear individually at the tips of the branches. Like other euphorbias, they are produced in a specialised flower structure known as a cyathium, which consists of tiny floral parts enclosed within a cup-shaped structure. In its natural habitat, flowering mainly takes place from autumn to spring.

Euphorbia decepta needs a bright to sunny position and a very well-drained substrate containing plenty of mineral material. Water moderately during the growing season and allow the substrate to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during winter and protect the plant from frost. Its slow growth, thickened caudex and outward-spreading branches make it an unusual succulent that looks particularly attractive in a small pot with a mineral top dressing.