Euphorbia lactea

"Candelabra spurge" redirects here. For another plant called candelabra spurge, see Euphorbia abyssinica.

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.

Euphorbia lactea
Variegated form, Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' (below)
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (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. lactea
Binomial name
Euphorbia lactea Haw.

Description

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.

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]