This Euphorbia loricata bush growing in the Gifberg has a very short single stem from which several fairly erect-growing branches emerge low down. Some of the many side-branchlets near stem-tips are later lost, “energy” reserved for more, short leafy ones higher up, the few retained lower ones becoming thicker and bare (Grenier, 2019; Smith, et al, 2017; Frandsen, 2017; iNaturalist).