Plant Facts

Euphorbia tirucalli

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  • Name - Pronounced ew-FOR-bee-a TEE-roo-ca-lee. Common names are Pencil plant, Finger tree and Milk bush plant. Euphorbia is named after Euphorbes, personal physician to the Numidian King Juba II some 2,000 years ago, who discovered that the white sap is poisonous (if used incorrectly) but also has medicinal properties.
  • Description - A leafless succulent with pencil stems (closely resembling ET's long fingers).
  • Origin - Africa
  • Family - Euphorbiaceae
  • Care Tips - It likes a sunny spot and not too much water.
  • Trivia - All the species of Euphorbia are characterised by the production of a milky latex which should be treated with caution as it can cause skin irritation.


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    Euphorbia tirucalli