Description
Euphorbia abdelkuri, commonly known as the Arab abdelkuri spurge, is a succulent plant of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, belonging to the genus Euphorbia. It is native to the island of Abdul Kuri and surrounding areas in Yemen. The plant grows in a candle‑like clump, lacking leaves and spines. Its stems have a diameter of about 5 cm and a grayish‑white to brownish‑gray surface that is covered with a waxy layer. In the wild, individuals rarely exceed 1 m in height, whereas in cultivation they can reach up to 1.5 m. A distinctive feature of the species is its unique cluster of three flowers and its yellow, toxic latex, making it the only known spurge species that exudes yellow sap.
The plant grows on limestone and granite steep slopes at elevations of 150–270 m. It requires full sun and a warm environment of 15–35 °C, with winter temperatures not falling below 15 °C. During its growth period, it needs moderate watering, with a greater water requirement in summer; however, cultivation can present care challenges. Wild populations have declined sharply for unknown reasons, with only four clumps remaining in 1967, and the species is now listed as endangered. Artificial propagation is often carried out by grafting onto spurge rootstock, as direct root‑to‑soil cultivation is difficult. The cultivated variety “Damask,” prized for its unique pinkish stem, retains the growth habits and toxic characteristics of the wild type.
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