Accession Count: 27
Common Name:
candelabra tree
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Botanical Name:
Euphorbia ingens
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Euphorbia ingens is an exceptionally tall succulent, reaching a mature height of up to 40 feet (2,3,4). Short spines grow on the ridges, and vertically oriented branches will produce small, yellow flowers (1) and a round, red fruit (3). Branches grow in abundance above 9 feet (2). The latex skin of this plant is an extreme skin irritant and care should be taken when handling (2,3).
Compound:
Eup ing
Geographic Origin:
Southern Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Cultivation Notes:
Euphorbia ingens grows rapidly and is drought resistant (2,3,4). It requires dry, well drained soils and will die in consistently wet environments(3). This succulent thrives in warm environments but is not cold hardy, and freezes below 35F can be dangerous to its health (3).
Ethnobotany:
Although the latex skin of Euphorbia ingens is extremely irritable to the skin and digestive system, it is sometimes used as a purgative or to treat alcohol dependency. The latex is also used in tandem with bait as a fish poison (2).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Fall
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Low water Use
