Rare Arabian Caudex: Euphorbia hadramautica

A coveted architectural gem for collectors, prized for its distinctive subterranean tuber and exotic leafy crown.

1. Origin & History of Name: The species name hadramautica refers to the Hadhramaut region in southern Yemen, where it was first documented. It was formally described by the German botanist John Isaac Briquet in 1911. The name honors the rugged, arid plateau of its homeland, reflecting its evolutionary adaptation to one of the harshest environments on the Arabian Peninsula.
2. Morphology: This geophytic succulent features a thick, fleshy caudex (storage organ) that remains mostly underground in habitat. Its epidermis is patterned with prominent tubercles—small, knob-like protrusions—arranged in spiraling rows rather than distinct costae (ribs). During the growing season, it produces a rosette of lanceolate leaves and specialized, cup-like inflorescences known as cyathia, which lack the showy petals found in non-succulent plants.
3. Habitat & Origin: This is a wild species native to the rocky, limestone plateaus of Yemen, Oman, and parts of Somalia. It is not a cultivar. Our specimens are nursery-grown from seed to ensure the protection of wild populations and adhere to sustainable trade practices, preventing the depletion of its restricted natural habitat.
4. Cultivation Profile:
   • Substrate: Use a strictly mineral-based mix (70% inorganic). A blend of coarse river sand, pumice, and crushed gravel with minimal leaf mold is ideal for the Indian climate to prevent root rot.
   • Light: Requires bright, indirect sunlight. In the Indian subcontinent, protect from harsh afternoon sun (12 PM – 4 PM) during summer to prevent epidermal scorching; a 50% shade net is recommended.
   • Water/Dormancy: Water deeply during the monsoon and summer when leaves are present. It enters a strict deciduous dormancy in winter; withhold water entirely once leaves yellow and drop to mimic its arid native dry season.
5. Scientific/Historical Anecdote: Euphorbia hadramautica belongs to a unique group of "cryptic succulents." In its native habitat, the plant often pulls itself deeper into the soil using contractile roots during extreme droughts, leaving only the very tip of the stem visible. This survival mechanism protects the moisture-rich caudex from both the sun's intensity and thirsty herbivores.