Euphorbia lactea
Candelabra spurge
Euphorbia lactea, commonly known as the Milk Bush, is a striking succulent prized for its unique, columnar growth and sculptural form. Native to tropical regions, this resilient plant features striking variegation and a distinctive milky sap. It serves as both a captivating ornamental centerpiece and a fascinating botanical specimen.
- Scientific name: Euphorbia lactea
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is further categorized into the family Euphorbiaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by its placement within the genus Euphorbia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Euphorbia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Euphorbia lactea, is referred to by various names across different languages and cultures. In English, it is commonly called the Candelabra Spurge, while in Russian, it is known as Молочай молочный. In Bulgarian, the name used is млeчна млeчка, and in Arabic, it is identified as كندلبرة. Additionally, in Haitian Creole, it is referred to as Kandelab.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Молочай молочный | Wikidata |
| bg | млечна млечка | Wikidata |
| ar | كندلبرة | Wikidata |
| ht | Kandelab | Wikidata |
| en | Candelabra Spurge | Wikidata |
| en | Frilled Fan Spurge | Wikidata |
| en | Mottled Spurge | Wikidata |
| en | Elkhorn | Wikidata |
| fr | Euphorbe lactée | Wikidata |
| zh | 春峰 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several distinct regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found specifically in the Comoros. Its presence is also highly significant across the Indian Subcontinent. In this area, it is distributed throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Consequently, the species maintains a broad geographical footprint spanning multiple countries.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| South-Central Pacific | Society Is. | WCVP |
| South-Central Pacific | Tuamotu | WCVP |
| South-Central Pacific | Tubuai Is. | WCVP |
| North-Central Pacific | Hawaii | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Euphorbia lactea, is characterized by its succulent, cactus-like stems, but its most distinctive feature is the milky white latex that flows from its tissues when injured. This sap is found throughout the plant's internal structures and is highly concentrated in the stems, serving as a primary chemical defense mechanism. In various traditional practices, this latex is the part most frequently associated with the plant's medicinal properties, though it is also known to be highly caustic and irritating to the skin and eyes.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| latex | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Euphorbia lactea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include C20H30O10, tirucallol.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| C20H30O10 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tirucallol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Euphorbia lactea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Euphorbia lactea has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include epilepsy, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |