Candelabra-Cactus

Euphorbia lactea Haw.

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Euphorbiaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name ancient. (Said by DEH to honor Euphorbus, Physician to Juba, King of Mauritania.) Lactea means milky, in reference to the drippy white sap.

Natural Range: East Indies (BA1)

Recognition: Succulent, upright shrub resembling a cactus, possessing abundant milky sap. Unlike a cactus, this species has paired (stipular) thorns instead of the prickly pads (areoles) characteristic of true cacti.

Cultivar ‘Cristata’ has broadend, crested stem tips presumably due to a mutation in the growing tip. ‘Variegata’ is white, sometimes called Ghost-Cactus or Dragon-Bones.

Landscape uses: Used as a cactus. Grows well in containers. Easily propagated by large cuttings (allow them to dry before planting). Probably toxic. The thorns can be painful. The branches break off easily.