Euphorbia aeruginosa

It is also called "Miniature Saguaro"; in Russia it is known as "Молочай аэругиноза" - "Aeruginosa milk carrier" for the milky liquid inside the plant. "Aeruginosa" means "verdigris", so this name was given, due to the green color of the stems and the copper-colored thorns. It is a succulent dwarf plant, very branched and characterized by a small underground caudex, in which it stores water to survive during drought periods. With the prolonged exposure to the direct sun it becomes more robust and the thorns take on a beautiful intense red-bordeaux color. In fact, if the thorns are long, thin and of a grayish color, this is the sign that the plant needs more light.