Euphorbia lactea

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Euphorbia lactea
E lactea ies.jpg
Euphorbia lactea - close-up.jpg
Variegated form, Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' (below)
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. lactea
Binomial name
Euphorbia lactea

Euphorbia lactea is a species of spurge native to arid and subtropical regions of South Asia, mainly the Indian Subcontinent. [3] Common names include mottled spurge, [4] frilled fan, elkhorn, [5] candelabra spurge, [4] candelabrum tree, candelabra cactus, candelabra plant, dragon bones, [4] false cactus, [4] hatrack cactus, [4] milkstripe euphorbia, mottled candlestick.

Contents

Description

Euphorbia lactea in Kourou, French Guiana. Cactus tronc kourou.jpg
Euphorbia lactea in Kourou, French Guiana.

It is an erect shrub growing up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall, with succulent branches 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) diameter, ridged, with a triangular or rhombic cross-section; the ridges are spiny, with short, permanent spines up to 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long. The leaves are small, and quickly deciduous. [3]

All parts of the plant contain a poisonous milky latex, containing several irritating alkaloids, such as phorbol. [6]

Cultivation

60 year old Euphorbia lactea var. Cristata located at the Duke University greenhouse, Durham, USA. Duke euphorbe.jpg
60 year old Euphorbia lactea var. Cristata located at the Duke University greenhouse, Durham, USA.

It is used medicinally in India. [7] It is widely grown as an ornamental plant, both in the tropics, and as a houseplant in temperate regions; a number of cultivars have been selected for ornamental use, notably 'Cristata' with frilled branching. [3] [8]

References

  1. ↑ de Kok, R. (2023). "Euphorbia lactea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023 e.T206406144A206909196. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T206406144A206909196.en . Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  3. 1 2 3 Huxley, A, ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN   0-333-47494-5
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Euphorbia lactea". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  5. ↑ Euphorbia lactea f. cristata Llifle.com. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Poisonous plants: Euphorbia lactea Archived 2009-06-03 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Plant of the Week.org Euphorbia lactea
  8. ↑ Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: Euphorbia lactea


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