African Milkbush Euphorbia umbellata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called African Milkbush:
Previously known as:
- Euphorbia pseudograntii
- Synadenium grantii
- Synadenium umbellatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh um-bell-AY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The African milk bush is a semi-succulent evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the dry tropical areas of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. This plant is erect, thornless, multi-branched, and has large, fleshy leaves. It is grown as an ornamental or hedge and can reach up to 8 to 16 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. It is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The specific epithet, umbellata, is the Latin word for "umbrella" or "having umbels."
This species thrives in bright, indirect light, and a well-drained potting mix with sand or loam. They prefer moderate temperatures between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the plant when it is almost completely dry. Propagate this plant by stem cuttings. .
The leaves are dark green, simple, fleshy, alternate, and grow toward the end of the stems. The underside of the leaves are a paler green. The flowers are yellowish-green to green, and the bracts are purplish-green and reddish-purple. This plant has green branches, light gray bark, and milky white sap.
The African milk bush can be used as a container planting or as hedge for privacy or windbreak.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The African milk bush is usually pest and disease resistant; however, monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Potential diseases include root rot and fungal diseases.
Keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets. The milky sap is a skin irritant; therefore, wear protective gloves when handling this plant. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.
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:
-
- 'Rubra'
leathery, fleshy obovate, red leaves, finely toothed margins, occasional red flowers
- 'Rubra'
- 'Rubra'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Rubra'
leathery, fleshy obovate, red leaves, finely toothed margins, occasional red flowers
- 'Rubra'
- 'Rubra'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- umbellata
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaf sap is used to treat intestinal parasites, treat cardiac problems, and applied to abscesses.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Sudan to Burundi and Tanzania
- Distribution:
- Native to Introduced to Bangladesh and India.
- Play Value:
- Wind Break
- Edibility:
- Toxic if ingested.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a red capsule that has short hair and 3-lobes. The seeds are ovoid and 2mm long.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescences are terminal or axillary and are branched clusters or cymes of a few cyathia. The flowers are small, green to yellowish-green and inconspicuous. They are in a small cup with a red rim of glands. Purplish bracts protect the flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are fleshy, simple, alternate, oblanceolate, spirally arranged, and dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. The leaf measures up to 6 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. They are sparsely hairy, and the margins may be entire or finely toothed. The leaves are usually crowded at the tips of the stems. The petiole is absent or if present, measures only about 0.5 inches long.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is light gray, and the trunk measures up to 6 inches wide.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are fleshy and green to purplish and cylindrical without hairs. The older stems are pale gray and have prominent leaf scars.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- 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:
- Diterpine esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
