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African Milk Barrel Euphorbia polygona 'Nova'

Previously known as:

  • Euphorbia horrida
  • Euphorbia polygona var. horrida
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-FOR-bee-uh pol-lee-GO-nah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Nova' African Milk Barrel is a spiny succulent shrub with irregular basally clumping stems with distinctive coloration and waviness of the spines. This columnar plant has sharp ridges lined with thorns. It can have stripes of white and green marking its stem. They will form clusters over time. The growth habit of this species makes it resemble the unrelated barrel cacti. 

'Nova' can be grown outdoors in summer and brought indoors before frost. They need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Grow in containers with many drainage holes and soil appropriate for succulents and cacti and water deeply between periods of dring out. Easy to grow.

The milky sap of euphorbia can irritate the skin so wear gloves to handle.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Euphorbia.

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Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#interiorscape#low maintenance#offsets plantlets#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#xeriscapes
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#interiorscape#low maintenance#offsets plantlets#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#xeriscapes
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euphorbia
    Species:
    polygona
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Very small green and yellow solitary cyathia, pedunculate. The involucre is finely hairy with 5 glands and 5 large lobes. Involucres glands are green, blooms in summer.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Erect, cylindrical stems up to 4 inches thick with spines
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Diterpene esters
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Sap/Juice