STORY BEHIND THE ART OF NANCY GEHRIG

Weird, Wild, & Wonderful

Second New York Botanical Garden Triennial Exhibition

2014 - 2016

Milk Barrel Cactus

Euphorbia horrida

This rugged and resilient little euphorbia thrives in harsh desert conditions storing water in its fleshy folds. It protects itself with spiny barbs which are rigid remnants of its flower stalks. The Latin specific epithet horrida means “with many prickles”. Another defense mechanism of this plant is that it exudes a poisonous white milky sap when the flesh is nicked.

My first attraction to this plant was the curving folds which are accentuated by the spiny barbs. As I looked closer, the colors intrigued me. In my initial sketches I worked on the color and tonal changes within each fold. The more I studied the plant, the more I realized how magical the colors were – the soft blue greens plus yellow toned greens. The barbs have hints of red in a range of browns. The brilliant green of the new shoot led me to wonder just how it was connected to the main plant and just what did the roots look like. With much trepidation I unearthed the cactus to see. The root system proved to be as interesting as the cactus body - a core of rich reds and browns with pale roots branching out. I must include this in my drawing.

The new shoot is connected to the main plant by a branch of the root. I also noted a small nub on the root core. Would there be another off shoot? I sketched and photographed the roots and quickly repotted the cactus. I am pleased to say it not only survived having its roots exposed but is thriving. Six months later I discovered a small green off shoot peeking from the rocky soil. The nub on the root has developed into a new plant just making its way to sunlight.

I am fascinated by the contrast between the dark ominous spines and the soft bluish green grays of the curving ridges of the plant. Adding to the intriguing colors of this plant is the bright yellow green of new growth and the rich red brown of its root core. These contrasting features make the Euphorbia horrida truly weird yet wonderful.

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