Moroccan Mound

The Moroccan Mound, scientifically known as Euphorbia resinifera, is a fascinating and highly architectural succulent that forms distinctive, fortress-like clumps. This unique plant is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, thriving in rocky, arid, and semi-arid landscapes. It is exceptionally well-adapted to hot, dry climates and well-drained, gritty soils, often growing on sunny slopes. As a long-lived perennial, the Moroccan Mound can persist for many decades, potentially over 50 years, forming impressive, expansive colonies over time.

Its most striking characteristic is its dense, tightly packed, succulent stems that are typically four-sided (quadrangular) and a distinctive bluish-green color. These upright stems are covered with short, sharp, and often reddish-brown spines along their ridges. The stems branch profusely from the base, creating a highly organized, mounding, and often impenetrable mass that can spread several feet wide and reach heights of 1-3 feet. The plant’s overall form is reminiscent of a miniature, spiky fortress or a series of interconnected, ridged mounds, giving it its common name. In late spring to early summer, mature plants produce small, inconspicuous, yellow-green flowers (cyathia, typical of euphorbias) nestled in the center of the stem ridges, though these are often overshadowed by the plant’s unique structure. Like other euphorbias, it produces a milky white latex sap when cut, which can be irritating to the skin and eyes and is toxic if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling. The Moroccan Mound is an excellent choice for xeriscaping, rock gardens, Mediterranean-style landscapes, and large containers, particularly in climates like Phoenix, Arizona, where its drought tolerance, unique form, and striking texture make it a standout specimen.