Euphorbia trigona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Euphorbia trigona
EuphorbiaTrigona.png
A potted Euphorbia trigona
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. trigona
Binomial name
Euphorbia trigona

Euphorbia trigona (also known as African milk tree,[1] cathedral cactus,[1] Abyssinian euphorbia,[2] and high chaparall[3][4][dubious – discuss]) is a perennial plant that originates from Central Africa.

Description[]

It has an upright stem and number of branches that also grow upward. The stem and branches can have two or three sides. The stem itself is dark green with V-shaped light green patterns. The 5 mm (1⁄4 in) thorns occur in pairs on the stem's ridges. The drop shaped leaves grow from between the two thorns on each ridge. The plant has never been known to flower,[5][6] and is possibly a hybrid.[6]

Cultivation[]

The trigona can withstand brief cold temperatures of down to −3 °C (27 °F). It prefers sandy soil but can withstand most types of well-drained soil. It can root easily from stem cuttings, if allowed to dry for 3–7 days before planting so that it can form a callus and not rot. It grows to a height of 1.5–3 m (4 ft 11 in–9 ft 10 in).

Chemistry[]

As with many other Euphorbia species, the latex from the plant is poisonous and can cause skin irritations.[6] It is a pest-free plant. A problem that some trigonas face is that they are susceptible to falling over when fully grown because of their shallow and small root system [7]

Uses[]

The plant is only known in human cultivation and is commonly used as a house plant.[6] It is used as a ritual plant and a hedge in Gabon.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Timothy K. Broschat, Alan W. Meerow. Betrock's Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants. Betrock Information Systems, 1991. p. 123. ISBN 9780962976100
  2. ^ Thomas C. Fuller. Poisonous Plants of California. University of California Press, 1986. p. 372. ISBN 9780520055698
  3. ^ http://www.ne.se/lang/trekantseuforbia (in Swedish)
  4. ^ http://www.krukväxter.com/HighChaparall.php (in Swedish)
  5. ^ James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey. The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass. Cambridge University Press, 2011. p. 498. ISBN 9780521761550
  6. ^ a b c d e Medicinal Plants, Volume 1. PROTA, 2008. p. 260. ISBN 9789057822049
  7. ^ FLEURS TROPICALES DES JARDINS D'AFRIQUE, Miller, Euphorbia trigona, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[]

Retrieved from ""