Euphorbia mammillaris f. variegata | Corn Cob Cactus
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
Its stems, thicker and globose than those of Euphorbia submammillaris, are traversed by deeply marked ribs and small structures that repeat like the pieces of a suit of armor. In the variegated form, nature adds even more uniqueness: each stem can draw its own stripes and spots of color, making each specimen have a different pattern.
It is a shrubby, glabrous, and highly branched succulent that can reach approximately 30 cm in height and form compact clusters. The stems are erect, fleshy, and relatively short and thick, capable of reaching approximately 4–6 cm in diameter, with 7–15 very marked ribs or angles. The tubercles form small prominences along the ribs, and the leaves, which are greatly reduced, measure about 3–6 mm and disappear quickly. Between the tubercles appear spines of about 4–20 mm, corresponding to modified and persistent floral structures. The variegata form presents areas with a lower amount of chlorophyll, generally in shades of cream, yellow, and green, which run along or speckle the stems. Like all Euphorbia, it produces white latex when injured.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
The reference taxon is native to South Africa, with distribution between Albertinia and Grahamstown, in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. It grows on stony plains and hillsides, among scrubland, on alluvial deposits and shale terrain, within Cape thicket formations. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −4 ºC if kept completely dry, is well-acclimated, and exposure to cold is brief. In cultivation, the combination of low temperatures and humidity should be especially avoided.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs intense lighting, with an approximate goal of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates direct sun after gradual acclimation. In the variegated form, it is advisable to avoid sudden changes in exposure, as areas with less chlorophyll are more sensitive to intense solar radiation. Sufficient lighting also helps maintain stable variegation.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest.
During the active period, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry completely before watering again. In winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially when temperatures are low. Rapid drainage is essential to avoid root problems.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small cyathia towards the ends of the stems, on peduncles that can persist and harden later. The floral structures present shades that can range from green to purple, with dark nectar glands. In its natural area, flowering is recorded mainly between May and October; in Madrid, it can occur during the warm months, especially from late spring to summer.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a specific fertilizer for succulents is recommended, with a high content of assimilable calcium, such as Desert CHOICE® Suculentas, applied once a month when watering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
9x9 cm gourmet black pot
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