Euphorbia lactea
| Euphorbia lactea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Euphorbioideae |
| Tribe: | Euphorbieae |
| Subtribe: | Euphorbiinae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. lactea |
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia lactea Haw. | |
Euphorbia lactea is a species of spurge native to tropical Asia, mainly in India.[1]
It is an erect shrub growing up to 5 m tall, with succulent branches 3–5 cm diameter, ridged, with a triangular or rhombic cross-section; the ridges are spiny, with short spines up to 5 mm long. The leaves are minute, and soon deciduous.[1] All parts of the plant contain a poisonous milky latex.[2] Common names include mottled spurge,[3] frilled fan, elkhorn, candelabra spurge,[3] candelabrum tree, candelabra cactus, candelabra plant, dragon bones,[3] false cactus,[3] hatrack cactus,[3] milkstripe euphorbia, mottled candlestick.
It is used medicinally in India.[4] 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.[1][5]
References
- 1 2 3 Huxley, A, ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN 0-333-47494-5
- ↑ Poisonous plants: Euphorbia lactea
- 1 2 3 4 5 Germplasm Resources Information Network: Euphorbia lactea
- ↑ Plant of the Week.org Euphorbia lactea
- ↑ Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: Euphorbia lactea
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