- Euphorbia lactea
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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 (Mottled Spurge, Frilled Fan or Elkhorn) is a species of spurge native to tropical Asia, mainly in India.[1][2]
Euphorbia lactea in Kourou, French Guiana.
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.[2] All parts of the plant contain a poisonous milky latex.[3]
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.[2][5] Other colloquial names include Candelabra spurge, Candelabrum tree, Candelabra cactus, Candelabra plant, Dragon bones, False cactus, Hatrack cactus, Milkstripe euphorbia, Mottled candlestick.
References
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Euphorbia lactea
- ^ a b c Huxley, A, ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN 0-333-47494-5
- ^ Poisonous plants: Euphorbia lactea
- ^ Plant of the Week.org Euphorbia lactea
- ^ Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: Euphorbia lactea
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