Euphorbia canariensis

Euphorbia canariensis, commonly known as the Canary Island spurge, Hercules club^[7] or in Spanish cardón,^[8]: 206 is a succulent member of the genus Euphorbia and family Euphorbiaceae^[3] endemic to the Canary Islands.^[9] It is the plant symbol of the island of Gran Canaria.^[10]

Euphorbia canariensis
Canary Island spurge close to the Mirador de Archipenque at Los Gigantes
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Genus:	Euphorbia
Species:	E. canariensis
Binomial name
Euphorbia canariensis L.[3]
Synonyms
Euphorbia canariensis Forssk. Euphorbia canariensis Thunb. Euphorbia canariensis Tremaut[4] Tithymalus quadrangularis Kigg[5] [6]

Description

The Canary Island spurge is a succulent shrub, growing to between 3 and 4 metres (10 and 13 ft) high. It is made up of fleshy quadrangular or pentagonal trunks that look like cacti. It has no leaves, instead bearing spines 5 to 14 millimetres (0.20 to 0.55 in) long. It produces reddish-green flowers.^[9] It is hardy to −2 °C (28 °F).^[11]

The latex, which contains diterpenes^[12] is poisonous.^[13]

• 
  Spines on a young shoot
• 
  Flowers
• 
  Fruit

Distribution

The species is found on the narrow coastal belt, from sea level to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) in the Canary Islands.^[13]

See also

• List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands