The young Euphorbia hamata plant achieves more lateral than vertical expansion from stem growth. The thick, pale, green stems have markedly knobbly surfaces, retaining bulges and ridges that curve out where every leaf and fruit of earlier seasons had grown.

Stem colouring and texture are very similar from tip to base on these stems, all parts mostly visible in the loose plant structure. Maybe the much older and larger plant will lose the green from its lower stem surfaces and roughen with age.

The heat so often experienced in this plant’s habitat may cause the structural tendency of “personal” stem space for each branch: Keeping their distance means improved air movement for keeping cool rather than keeping their cool.

Overtures for closeness on cold days is beyond the Euphorbia branching repertoire.