From southeast Madagascar, Euphorbia decaryi var. spirosticha Is an interesting stem succulent with crinkled leaves similar to some Dorstenias and Monodeniums. The strangely textured stems sprawl and spread via underground stolens. When these stolons break through to the light and start to grow, they look remarkeably like tiny palm trees but soon lay over as they grow taller. Both the stems and leaves can take on a purple color in good light. Over time the plant will spread and produce a large patch in the garden. A shallow bowl is best for pot culture. The flower is a pale yellow disc with an almost alien look to it, they appear off and on throughout spring.
     I ordered some cuttings of this from Shoal Creek Succulents and they didn't do too well. Only one survived, the others rotted before they recovered from being bare rooted. Then one day I'm at Home Depot and spotted a half dozen of them in those little tiny pots they sell for 98 cents. I bought them all! I potted them up in several seperate groups because I knew they were rot prone and didn't want all my eggs in the same basket as they say. But now I think I've got the hang of growing them and may try a bunch together in a shallow bowl. Below are views of the bizarre flowers, stems and leaves. The last picture was donated by Geoff, a fellow member of the Davesgarden.com gardening forums. It's a gorgeous show specimen at a cacti and succulent show in California. Thanks Geoff :-) Click HERE for a gallery of more of Geoffs pictures.

Weird flowers	Closer view	Purplish crinkled leaves	Purple stem
Gorgeous show plant