Euphorbia clavarioides var. clavarioides

Euphorbia clavarioides at its impressive best. This is a mature and well developed specimen of the widely admired caudiciform Euphorbia. It occurs naturally in the Western and Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, as well as in Lesotho where this photo was taken. 

Animal species that share the natural habitat with plants like these are far more likely to leave them in peace to grow to these magnificent proportions than humans! The curiosity, acquisitive and even destructive tendencies of people can be channelled towards conservatory habits, although with difficulty and requiring sustained effort from those who care.