The candelabra plant ( Euphorbia lactea ) is a cactus - like shrub or small tree diagram with upright three - angled branches that grow 6 to 7 feet tall , and 5 feet all-inclusive . It has gray or smutty spines and minute leaves that shed easily . The blossom are small and the plant seldom bloom . to begin with from India , it grows in USDA hardiness zones 9B to 11 and is audacious to 28 degree Fahrenheit , accord to Desert Tropicals . It is also called dragon bones , elkhorn , false cactus , frilled fan , milkstripe euphorbia , monkey puzzle and mottled spurge .
Culture
The candelabrum works grows outside in sunlight to partial shade . It tolerates high temperatures and require fiddling water . Pruning is not necessary except to remove morbid or damaged branches .
Inside , the candelabra plant grows in areas with low to gamy light levels . lease the stain dry out thoroughly in pot candelabra plants before lachrymation . They are susceptible to overwatering , especially in winter . pee potted plants only once during the winter months .
Candelabra plant are propagated with cuttings . allow the cuttings dry three to four weeks before implant in well - drained potting dirt .
Uses
candelabrum plants are used as tumid specimen interior plant , or grown outside in ironical tilt gardens and xeriscape gardens . They form a slurred , impenetrable hedge when grow near together . The sap is used as glue and to handle atrophic arthritis in India . Do not habituate the candelabrum plant or any other plant for a aesculapian reason without the advice of a licensed aesculapian practician .
Varieties
Euphorbia lactea " Cristata " has crested fan - shaped branches grow in clusters or ridge on the stems . Some have varieties with fans tinged with yellow , pink , red or purpleness . White spectre has livid summit . The colour of the devotee intensifies with some afternoon shade .
Interesting Fact
Although the candelabra plant seem like a cactus , it is a extremity of the Euphorbiaceae category . Euphorbias have whitish sap and when the spines are remove they pull some of the surrounding stem tissue paper off , too . Cacti have cleared sap and the spines break off easily .
Warning
All part of the candelabra plant are toxicant , especially the white-hot , milklike sap . It is gently toxic if ingested and induce sickness , puking and looseness of the bowels . Minor skin botheration admit inflammation , gibbousness and bleb . It causes stern annoyance of the eyes . Wear a long - arm shirt , gloves and middle trade protection when pruning a candelabra industrial plant or taking cuttings .
