Cow's Horn

Euphorbia grandicornis is a decorative succulent plant - Euphorbiaceae family.
Very long and formidable thorns is what distinguishes this large branching succulent shrub from the other nearly identical species. It is a native of the moist eastern coast of South Africa in the state of Natal, homeland of the Zulu. The plants can be found in the bush hill country where soils are rich and well drained. This great succulent produces multiple branching from the base, with some of the outer limbs forced along the ground where they are inclined to root. The central branches are more upright, but sit at a slight angle for a more irregular character. Very thin paired thorns, each the length of a man’s thumb nail line the extruded margins of each vertical segment. The abundance of long thorns give this species significant armor against browsers in the dry season.