Melon spurge

Euphorbia meloformis is endemic to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, around Kariega (Uitenhage), Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Makhanda (Grahamstown) and Peddie, where it grows in short grassland and gaps in succulent thicket on flats of limestone or calcrete. It is a small, spineless succulent rarely over 10 cm tall, forming a dome with a flattened top above a long taproot. The body is 5–10 cm across, with eight ribs striped light green to purplish-brown and reddish cross-bands. It is usually solitary but may clump with age. Plants are male or female; small yellow-green flowers appear at the top from early summer to autumn (November–March in habitat), and the flower stalks persist long afterwards. It differs from the similar E. obesa in its long-lasting stalks, finely hairy ovaries and wider spacing between tubercles and flowering points. The South African Red List rates it Near Threatened because of its small range and illegal collecting. The related subspecies valida is larger and prized when thick, hardened stalks persist. In Japan it is a standard item at specialist nurseries and is also seen in home centres. The white latex from wounds irritates skin and eyes, so take care.

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The Melon spurge grows to Under 10 cm tall, 5–10 cm across.

Light feeder; slow-release organic fertiliser as a base dressing