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Names and Synonyms:Euphorbia armata, Euphorbia hystrix
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Common Names:African Palm Tree
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Family:Euphorbiaceae
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Origin:Native to the Western Cape and Namaqualand (Prince Albert, Sand River Mountains, Van Rhynsdorp, Gift Berg, Clanwilliam, Lange Valley, Olifants River Valley, Kanakas Berg, Wupperthal) areas of South Africa
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Height:3-4'
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Width:3-4'
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Cold Tolerance:30° to 35°F; -1.1° to 1.7°C
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Heat Tolerance:Extreme heat tolerance
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Light Requirement:Lightest shade to full sun
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Water needs:Very drought tolerant
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Maintenance:None
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Uses:A striking container plant in areas where temperatures drop below freezing. Elsewhere it can be grown in the ground in well draining rocky soil in cactus and succulent gardens.
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Propagation:It is easily propagated by cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. As with most succulent and cacti cuttings the wound needs to have time to dry and callus over, then plant the cutting in loose, well draining cactus soil and give it time to root. Can also be propagated by seed.
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Problems:Few, but can get mealy bugs and scale, especially when grown as a houseplant. Requires excellent drainage, keep roots on the dry side in winter. Strong winds can cause the stems to smash into one another and disfigure the plant.
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Special notes:This succulent has slender leaves at the branch tips which eventually drop off leaving stems covered in just the dried cyathium (flower) stems which resemble sharp spines. It has vertical growing, 3-5" diameter, branches which branch from the base. Euphorbia loricata is relatively quick growing and will become a striking landscape plant in several years. It does not mind being pot-bound and can be pruned for shape and branching. Leaves get an attractive burgundy hue in the sun. Plants grown in part shade should be gradually acclimated to full sun to avoid burning.
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Research Links:
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