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
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'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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- polygona
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Africa
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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
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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.
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect, cylindrical stems up to 4 inches thick with spines
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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
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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
