Monadenium Ellenbeckii Octopus Arms Succulent Plant

Euphorbia bisellenbeckii

Origin

Ethiopia, Somalia, and Northern Kenya

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Description

Monadenium Ellenbeckii is a perennial succulent that does not grow very tall. It has serpent-like stems that emerge from a central base. the stems are thin bright/light green, fleshy, columnar or creeping, and shortly rhizomatous. Several to 50 cm or up to 1,5 m long when supported, few branches, up to 15 mm , with 4 longitudinal grooves below.Forms many stems that emerge from the base giving it the name Octopus Arms. The arms can grow from 1.5' up to 3 or 4 feet if supported. Flowers are a yellow-green color and appear in the summertime.

Environment

Euphorbias are very easy to care for. They require a little pampering to become established, but once they are, they are self-sufficient. In fact, more die from too much care and watering than from neglect. Euphorbias need well-draining soil and lots of sunlight. They are not particular about soil pH, but they cannot tolerant wet soil.

Unlike most succulents, Euphorbia does not handle long periods of drought well. It may need weekly watering during the summer. Water whenever the soil is dry several inches below the surface. Water deeply, but don t let them sit in wet soil, which can cause root rot. Add some organic matter or fertilizer to the planting hole. If you are growing them in containers or your soil is poor, feed with a half-strength fertilizer monthly.

Landscape Use

It can be used as an ornamental plant.