Origin and Habitat: Repubblic of South Africa (Northern Province). It is apparently of rather limited distribution as it has not been identified with certainty from any area other than the north-western Transvaal in the districts of Waterberg, Potgietersrust, Pietersburg and Soutpansberg.
Altitude: 700-1250 metres above sea level.
Habitat and ecology: It grows on stony soils in Mopane woodland.

• Euphorbia tortirama R.A.Dyer

Description: Euphorbia tortirama is one of the most interesting South African dwarf euphorbia bearing quaintly spiralled branches, a tuft of which arises from the top of a perennial tuberous rootstock. The thickened main root is raised above the soil level when potted.
Habit: It is a caespitose perennial dwarf spiny perennial succulent; main stem a continuation of the thickened main root, forming a carrot-shaped tuberous body up to 30 cm long and 15 cm thick, mostly buried in the ground, terminating at the base in a slender tap root.
Branches: Numerous in a tight clump atop the tuberous rootstock 6-30 cm long, 2-4,5 cm wide, (2)3-angled when young but becoming twisted in a tight spiral, obscurely constricted into segments 1,5–2 cm long, angles winged with irregular very prominent tubercles 5-18 mm apart along the margins.
Leaves: Minuscule, fleshy, ephemeral.
Stipular spines: Vestigial. Joined in a a continuous horny margin, but separate at the constrictions.
Spines: Up to 2,5 cm long, reduced to 2 mm at the constrictions.
Inflorescences (cymes): Solitary, simple; peduncles to 4 mm; bracts oblong 2,5 mm long.
Flowers (Cyathia): Up to 7 mm in diameter with cup-shaped involucres. Nectar glands oblong, yellow, touching; lobes rounded, 1.5 × 1.5 mm, finel toothed. Male flowers: bracteoles c. 3,5 mm long, laciniate; stamens 6 mm long, well exserted. Female flower: styles 2 mm long, joined to halfway, apices spreading, bifid.
Fruits (capsules): Obtusely lobed, 1 cm in diameter, sessile.
Seeds: Sub-globular, smooth 3 × 2.5 mm.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
2) Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae” Volume 1 Blandford Press, 1960
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011
4) Archer, R.H. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Euphorbia tortirama R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: "Red List of South African Plants" version 2013.1. Accessed on 2014/04/01
5) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/giu/2000
6) Alain Campbell White, Robert Allen Dyer, Boyd L. Sloane “The succelent Euphorbisae (southern Africa)” Abbey garden press, 1941
7) Inez C. Verdoorn, L. E. W. Codd “Wild Flowers of the Transvaal” Trustees, Wild Flowers of The Transvaal Book Fund, 1962
8) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer, 2002
9) S. Carter & L.C. Leach “Euphorbia tortirama R.A. Dyer [family EUPHORBIACEAE]” in: Flora Zambesiaca Vol 9 Part 5 2001

Cultivation and Propagation: Euphorbia tortiramaSN|21556]]SN|26304]] is cultivated as an ornamental, and is a particular favourite of succulent plant enthusiasts. Cultivation of this plant is the same as that for the other tuberous varieties of Euphorbia, (e.g. Euphorbia stellataSN|17359]]SN|17359]], Euphorbia deciduaSN|26304]]SN|21556]] etc.)
Growth rate: It is a slow growing species, but it it possible to increase the speed of growth to some extent by providing adequate amount of water, warmth, and fertilizer during the active growing season, but it’s susceptible to rotting if too wet and do not like a lot of water when they are on rest.
Soil and pots: It likes pots with generous drain holes, needs a very airy potting medium which mainly consists of non organic material such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould, seeing that the main trunk is planted with the majority of the roots below the caudex line. It's rare that it will use the upper third of its soil and often this area serves like a mulch or support for the stem.
Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet in summer. Use preferably a cacti and succulents fertilizer with high potassium content including all micro nutrients and trace elements or slow release fertilizer.
Exposure: This plant has an excellent heat tolerance, and need full sun to light shade exposures, it grows well even in full blasting sun, but can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun. The color of this plant is much more marked if grown in full sun.
Watering: Water regularly during the active growing season. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. However this spurge will tolerate dryness and can even thrives in poor, dry soils, but do better when grown in nutrient-rich soils with regular watering.
Hardiness: Some cold tolerance. This spurge has tolerated temperatures down to –6º C. However it can be difficult to get it to look its best without a good amount of heat and sun and so it is only really suited to the tropics (USDA Zones 9-12). It can be grown outdoors in frost-free climates.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Euphorbias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Manteinance: Re-pot every two years and trim off the dead 'arms'.
Known hazards: The latex/sap is poisonous and can cause skin rash, itching and general discomfort, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.
Propagation: The plant can be reproduced by seeds or cuttings. The seedling is best left until it is larger as it will grow faster if the root is buried. The plant may be propagated by branch cuttings which will grow and flower. Usually cuttings will not form caudexes unless double cut. Once growth is strong, the top of the green shoot needs to be cut off again to force the plant to start a caudex. Some plant form a perfectly symmetrical caudex when grown from seed, but form distorted (but often more interesting) caudexes when grown from cuttings. If you remove an offset, remember to let it dry for some days, letting the wound heal (cuttings planted too soon easily rot before they can grow roots). Lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the substrate. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward. It is better to wash the cut to remove the latex.