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Euphorbia erlangeri

Name: Euphorbia erlangeri
Brand: Rare Plant Catalog
SKU: 10416735748376
Price: 25.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$25

Described in 1903, Euphorbia erlangeri remains an obscure member of the Somali succulent flora and is seldom encountered in cultivation. Even Susan Carter, recounting Frank Horwood's final Somali expedition in the 1980s, recalls her delight at finding a clump of it on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Its native range runs from southern Somalia into Ethiopia and the far northeastern corner of Kenya, one of the many unusual, underexplored, and often inhospitable corners of the Horn of Africa we have a particular soft spot for. At first glance, E. erlangeri resembles other spiny, shrubby Euphorbias from the region, but its slender branches emerge from a surprisingly large underground caudex. In habitat, the stems form a loose tangle that can scramble through leafy bushes to around six feet, each of the five ribs lined with small, slightly hooked spines. It's closely related to E. cryptospinosa, whose more rounded stems carry spines so inconspicuous they can be difficult to find.

pot size: 3.5" tall

genus: Euphorbia
family: Euphorbiaceae

care & cultivation:

growing season: summer

what growing season means

Active growth occurs in warmer months.
water level: dry

what water level means

Let soil dry fully between waterings. Avoid damp or waterlogged conditions.
light level: 30% shade

what light level means

Bright greenhouse conditions or strong natural exposure. Outdoors: usually at least 4-6 hours of direct morning light, or all day under ~30% shade cloth. Indoors: the highest light a south-facing window can provide, though supplemental lighting is recommended.
min/max temp: 50°F/110°F

what min/max temp means

50°F — Comparable to the lower limits in warm, frost-free subtropical zones. Sustained exposure beneath this level is typically damaging.
110°F — Extreme heat, typical of desert conditions during summer peaks. Many species tolerate or thrive in this range, but shading, misting, and evaporative cooling are often necessary to prevent damage.
humidity level: low

what humidity level means

Adapted to dry air, usually 40% or below. Performs best when the ambient environment is kept dry and may suffer in persistently humid conditions.
dormancy water: none

what dormancy water means

Withhold all water during dormancy. Keep dry until active growth resumes.
potting mix: mineral mix

what potting mix means

Inorganic substrate made up of pumice, lava, or perlite with no organic matter. Similar to the rocky, nutrient-poor soils of arid and semi-arid regions.

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our nursery grew out of a shared belief that rare plants shouldn't stay rare forever. that's why we propagate the plants we'd be excited to receive and offer them directly, without the usual markup

common questions

how do you ship plants?

Very carefully. Each plant is individually packed by hand using materials suited to its size, shape, and needs, usually by the same person who grew it. Heat packs are available during colder months but are not reliable below 15 degrees. If needed, we can hold an order for up to two weeks. All shipments include a California Nursery Stock Certificate for Interstate and Intrastate Shipments.

when does my order arrive?

We ship on Mondays to avoid weekend delays. Most orders go out within a few days, but weather may delay things slightly. USPS Ground Advantage is standard, with Priority available at checkout. You’ll get tracking once your order ships. We don’t have control over carrier speed or when your package is scanned in, but if something seems off or it’s stuck in transit, let us know and we’ll do our best to help.

will I receive the plant pictured?

If the listing description includes "you will recieve the plant pictured", then yes, that’s the one you’ll get. For general listings, you’ll receive a plant of similar size and quality to what’s shown. We grow or hand-select everything ourselves, so what you see is a fair representation of what we send out.

will my plant arrive potted?

Most plants ship bare-root, but we occasionally send them potted when it’s better for the plant. When we ship with soil, we use clean, inorganic media to meet USDA and state requirements for plant shipments.

what if my plant arrives damaged?

Contact us within 3 days of receiving your plant. Send a few clear photos and a short note. The same people who packed your plant have sent out thousands before, but plants are living things and we’ll work with you if something goes wrong.

where can I find care info?

Each product page includes species-specific care notes in an interactive table. Tap the ⓘ icon on any category to reveal detailed guidance. Still unsure? Just ask! Chances are we’ve personally dealt with whatever you’re facing.

do you grow everything yourselves?

Most of it, yes. The vast majority of our plants are propagated by us at our NorCal facility. The rest come from growers we know and trust. We don’t sell wild-collected material, and we never buy from bulk suppliers pushing unlabeled stock grown under questionable conditions. Because we grow most things ourselves and stay small by design, we’re able to keep prices comparable to overseas sellers without cutting corners or sending out half-rooted plants that were never meant to last.

do you offer wholesale?

Yes, our separate wholesale site is currently under construction, but you can reach out on our contact form. Not all plants are available and there are minimum order quantities. Access is limited to those engaged in a commercial trade. If you’d like to open an account, please get in touch with us. And if you think your local nursery should carry our plants, feel free to point them our way.