Introduction
Small, roundish Euphorbia species are compact, largely stem-succulent plants whose globose or depressed-globose bodies mimic the “ball cactus” form through convergent evolution. Instead of true spines, many display hardened spine shields or persistent peduncles, and their flowers are specialized cup-like cyathia. Ribs, shallow grooves, and tessellated markings help manage light and heat while allowing stems to expand and contract with moisture. Most are slow-growing, often solitary when young, and valued for precise geometry and subtle color banding. Below are six exemplary species.
The Details
Euphorbia obesa
The classic “baseball plant,” E. obesa forms a single, nearly spherical to short-columnar stem with six to ten shallow ribs and fine tessellation in gray-green to olive tones. It is spineless and typically dioecious, bearing tiny yellowish cyathia near the crown. With age, it elongates modestly yet retains a clean, symmetrical outline.
Euphorbia valida
Closely allied to E. obesa, E. valida grows broader and slightly taller, with deeper ribs and a more columnar stance in maturity. Banding is usually subtler, which gives the plant a heavier, more solid look. Cyathia are small and yellowish, and the plant remains essentially spineless.
Euphorbia meloformis
Named for its melon-like silhouette, E. meloformis is depressed-globose to short-columnar and may offset with age into a compact cluster. Ribs are distinct and often banded; spine shields are present, but true spines are absent or minute. Green to yellow-green cyathia on short peduncles accent the plant’s tidy symmetry.
Euphorbia globosa
This species forms dense cushions of many marble-sized, smooth, globose heads joined on short necks. Individual segments are nearly spherical and subtly grooved, creating a neat, beaded mound. Small yellowish cyathia arise near the tips, and old peduncles may persist as tiny bristles.
Euphorbia susannae
E. susannae develops compact clusters of spherical to slightly top-flattened heads with angular facets and fine warting. The effect is a tight, sculptural dome with minimal visible leaves and only minute bristles. Cyathia appear near each apex and punctuate the geometry without disrupting it.
Euphorbia piscidermis
Renowned for its “fish-scale” epidermis, this species is solitary and flattened-globose, the stem densely covered in overlapping, diamond-shaped tessellations. It is essentially spineless, and the intricate surface pattern provides its distinctive texture. The crown bears small yellowish cyathia that contrast crisply with the scaled stem.
