Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii

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JTh

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Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« on: November 21, 2018, 11:29:11 PM »
Does anybody know this attractive succulent? I saw it in a nursery in Ormylia (Halkidiki, northern Greece) some weeks ago. The nursery is huge and they grow some very interesting plants, but labelling is not their strong point.  The owner is very interested in drought-tolerant plants, and he has a nice collection on display, but I forgot to ask him about the name of this plant.


PA222164.jpg Unknown succulent
by Jorun Tharaldsen, on Flickr


PA222166.jpg Unknown succulent
by Jorun Tharaldsen, on Flickr
« Last Edit: November 23, 2018, 07:33:03 AM by Alisdair »
Retired veterinary surgeon by training with a PhD in parasitology,  but worked as a virologist since 1992.
Member of the MGS  since 2004. Gardening in Oslo and to a limited extent in Halkidiki, Greece.

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Alisdair

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Re: Unknown succulent
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2018, 09:45:50 AM »
Could if be Euphorbia flanaganii, Jorun?
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

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JTh

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Re: Unknown succulent
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2018, 11:30:47 AM »
I believe you are right, Alisdair, I thought it might be Euphorbia, but I was not able to find any with this symmetri and long 'arms'.
Thank you!
Retired veterinary surgeon by training with a PhD in parasitology,  but worked as a virologist since 1992.
Member of the MGS  since 2004. Gardening in Oslo and to a limited extent in Halkidiki, Greece.

Umbrian

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2018, 07:57:42 AM »
Not very keen on succulents Jorun but that is a real beauty, I can see why you were attracted to it. The " arms" remind me of immature cucumbers!
MGS member living and gardening in Umbria, Italy for past 19 years. Recently moved from my original house and now planning and planting a new small garden.

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JTh

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2018, 11:58:44 AM »
I agree with you, I am usually not such a great fan of succulents either, but this one was quite striking . I suppose if I hadn't seen it myself, I would not have thought that a succulent described as a "plant with 'arms' looking like immature cucumbers" as particularly attractive.

I saw another succulent at the same place that intrigued me as well; I got help from Trevor Nottle with the identification. I guessed the genus but wasn't able to find the species, which is  Gasteria carinata ssp verucosa.


Gasteria carinata ssp verucosa
by Jorun Tharaldsen, on Flickr
Retired veterinary surgeon by training with a PhD in parasitology,  but worked as a virologist since 1992.
Member of the MGS  since 2004. Gardening in Oslo and to a limited extent in Halkidiki, Greece.

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John J

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2018, 06:44:42 PM »
Jorun, on our recent visit to a specialist nursery called Cactus Shop over in the far eastern end of the island we came across a plant that we probably wouldn't have looked at twice if it hadn't been for your posting. As it was we bought 2 and are looking forward to the day they look like yours. One entry I saw on the Internet gave it the common name of Medusa's Head.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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JTh

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2018, 11:43:09 PM »
I was tempted to buy it myself and If I lived in Greece permanently, it would not have been a problem. But it is probably not suitable for the winter in northern  Greece, where sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon. I read that the USDA hardiness zone for this plant is 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C). But good luck to you and your new plants, John.
Retired veterinary surgeon by training with a PhD in parasitology,  but worked as a virologist since 1992.
Member of the MGS  since 2004. Gardening in Oslo and to a limited extent in Halkidiki, Greece.

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John J

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2018, 07:45:50 AM »
Just as a matter of interest, Jorun, below is our Gasteria carinata ssp verucosa that we've had for a few years.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2019, 07:46:33 AM »
Our Medusa's Head has flowered. Apologies for the poor quality of the photo.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

Hilary

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2019, 07:59:22 AM »
Well worth the wait
MGS member
Living in Korinthos, Greece.
No garden but two balconies, one facing south and the other north.
Most of my plants are succulents which need little care

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JTh

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Re: Unknown succulent ID'd as Euphorbia flanaganii
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2019, 04:18:06 PM »
Fascinating, almost tempting
Retired veterinary surgeon by training with a PhD in parasitology,  but worked as a virologist since 1992.
Member of the MGS  since 2004. Gardening in Oslo and to a limited extent in Halkidiki, Greece.