Full Description: Succulent species Euphorbia leucodendron is an interesting dark green spineless succulent like shrub useful as a background plant in drought tolerant landscapes that grows on average to 4' ft. to 6' feet tall but can ultimately reach up to 12 feet tall. It has narrow pale green cylindrical and jointed stems that rise erectly and then arch outwards to form a mass as wide as tall. The stems are tipped in summer with many 1/2" inch long green leaves and are dotted with brown marks where the leaves were previously attached. In spring and summer at branch tips also appear the very small yellow-green flower structures called-(cyathia) that hold the even smaller flowers and later the developing fruit which is red colored and heartshaped. Euphorbia Leucodendron is amazingly hardy and resilient, nearly equal to ease and durability as is Euphorbia tirucalli. Euphorbia Leucodendron is a bit thicker and much slower to form a tree shape than Euphorbia tirucalli. A great background plant where a splash of lush green looking growth is required.
Common names : Cat Tails Euphorbia, Large Pencil Cactus, Milk Bush, Pencil Cactus, Stick Plant and Stick Cactus.
Synonyms : Euphorbia alluaudii, Tirucallia alluadii.
Native to : Madagascar
Flowers : Chartreuse colored flowers spring thru summer, followed by reddish fruit.
More info. : The specific epithet "Leuco-dendron" comes from Greek words 'leuco' meaning "white" and 'dendron' meaning "tree" in reference to the plant's white sap.
Euphorbia Leucodendron was originally described as Euphorbia alluaudii in 1903 by the French botanist Emmanuel Drake del Castillo (1855–1904). Its likeness to another Madagascar plant, Alluaudia dumosa in the Didiereaceae, gave this plant the name of Euphorbia alluaudii Drake and though this name is listed as the current name on The Plant List (collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the Missouri Botanic Garden) most references still use the name Euphorbia leucodendron Drake for this plant.
Caution : Take precautions as all plants in the Euphorbia genus have a toxic to poisonous milky sap that range from an irritant to more severe if eaten or makes contact with mucous membranes such as eyes, ears, mouth and or skin. Use gloves and googles when cutting stems or handling.
Care : Semi-rich soil with adequate drainage, full sun to part shade. Cold hardy for brief periods to mid 20-25 degrees. Can be occasionally once well established or more frequently in warm months to encourage growth. Can be grown in ground or in a large container.
Offered as : A cutting 8"+ to 12" long to all mail order locations. Larger rooted plant(s) are available for mail order within the U.S. only, or for pick up. See link below for info. about our walk in nursery.
( Below are more pictures of Euphorbia leucodendron showing details of typical stem growth as example ).
Established 5 gallon rooted multi-plant(s) may also be available for shipping within the U.S. only or for pick-up as most are very large, so sorry but no international shipping of large plants. Simply click the link below for info. about our walk-in nursery website, or to check availability and place an order with one of our friendly sales reps. today !
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