Euphorbia Obesa

SANBI IDentifyIt - Species Euphorbia obesa Family Euphorbiaceae NEMBA Status Protected CITES Listing Appendix II Geographic location / distribution / province Euphorbia obesa is a rare endemic of the Great Karoo, south of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Distinguishing characteristics Description: Euphorbia obesa is a peculiar, almost ball shaped dwarf succulent plant that resembles a stone Size: It can grow to 20 cm in height with a diameter of 9 cm Root system: It has a tapering tap root Euphorbias have a milky latex which is poisonous and is especially irritant to tender or cut skin and the eyes and all plants should be handled with care. Threats Over-collecting by collectors and plant exporters has almost resulted in the plant becoming extinct in the wild. Other species in the same family Euphorbia spp. Euphorbia bayeri Euphorbia bupleurifolia Euphorbia globosa Euphorbia meloformis Euphorbia squarrosa Legislation Please be aware that Euphorbia obesa is protected by both national and international legislation:On a NATIONAL level, this legislation differs from province to province and is policed by the Nature Conservation authority. In the Western Cape (and probably the Eastern and Northern Cape who were all part of the same province in 1974 when the ordinance was passed) Euphorbia obesa and 8 other species, are listed on Schedule 3 (Protected Flora) and one requires a permit from Nature Conservation to collect, cultivate and sell Protected Flora. When buying protected flora, make sure that the seller is registered with Nature Conservation and that they issue an Invoice. For more information, please contact the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, Private Bag X9086, CAPE TOWN, 8000, telephone (021) 483 3539 / 483 3170, fax (021) 483 4158, email: [email protected] or your provincial authority. On an INTERNATIONAL level there are ten species of Euphorbia on Appendix I, but Euphorbia obesa, and all other succulent species of Euphorbia are listed on Appendix II of CITES, i.e. the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This means that each and every Euphorbia obesa plant or piece of a plant being carried over an international border requires a CITES Export Permit issued by the authority of the exporting country, and a CITES Import Permit issued by the authority of the importing country. Seed, flasked seedling cultures and pollen from artificially propagated plants are exempt and may be traded without a permit. Buyers are advised to make sure that the seller is a reputable, registered dealer and that an invoice is issued with the sale. For more info on CITES, please visit their website: www.cites.org. They give a great deal of info. including a list of national authorities of all member countries. Finally, please note that the above legislation has nothing whatsoever to do with plant health and cleanliness legislation that is applicable to the import/export of all plant material and which is usually under the jurisdiction of the Dept./Ministry of Agriculture.

Fact Sheet.

Male plant. Photographer: Frank Vincentz Photographer: H. Zell

Photographer: H. Zell

Pointed leaf bases, each with one flowering eye beneath. Photographer: Frank Vincentz Female plant. Photographer: Frank Vincentz Female plant PHOTO: Frank Vincentz Female plant. Photographer: Frank Vincentz