SANBI IDentifyIt - Species Euphorbia meloformis Family Euphorbiaceae NEMBA Status Protected CITES Listing Appendix II Common names Melon spurge; bobbejaankos (Afrikaans - although this name is also used for other plants) Geographic location / distribution / province Eastern Cape Province Distinguishing characteristics A dwarf succulent perennial; melon or apple shaped, up to 12 cm in diameter, although the variety that occurs near Peddie (in the Eastern Cape) may be 20 cm in height and in diameter. This bigger form may also have up to 14 ribs and a distinctive, grey-green colour. E. meloformis has round green and purple banded, spineless stems with 8 to 12 ribs. It occasionally offsets from the base. The plants in the wild differ from one population to another, but also from one plant to another. Young plants have leaves that sometimes dry out quickly and in other forms last longer on the plant. 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. Similar species It is very similar in look to E. obesa, but with small yellow flowers on long peduncles (stalks) which dry and persist on the plant after blooming, Reference Rikus van Veldhuisen of “u4ba” www.euphorbia.eu Other species in the same family Euphorbia spp. Euphorbia bayeri Euphorbia bupleurifolia Euphorbia globosa Euphorbia obesa Euphorbia squarrosa Flowering months Flowers late summer through autumn Trade Occurring in three limited areas, may be decreasing and thus threatened due to illegal plant collection Medium aged plant (male). Photographer: Frank Vincentz Fact Sheet. Juvenile plant. Photographer: Stan Shebs Juvenile plant. Photographer: Stan Shebs Adult plant. Photographer: Frank Vincentz Photographer: Frank Vincentz Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved..