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Pencil Plant
Euphorbia tirucalli
SA tree no: 355
English: Pencil Plant, Rubber-hedge Euphorbia, Pencil Tree, Milk Bush, Naked Lady, Finger Tree, Indian Tree Spurge, Firesticks, Fire Stick Plant
Afrikaans: Kraalmelkbos, Melkbos, Potloodboom
Xhosa: Umhlontlo
Zulu: Umkhondweni
Historical scientific names: Arthrothamnus tirucalli, Euphorbia scoparia, Tithymalus tirucalli
Varieties: Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks'
Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as the Pencil Tree or Milk Bush, is a distinctive indigenous succulent shrub or small tree found in various parts of Southern and tropical Africa, though its exact indigenous origin is debated due to its widespread cultivation. This highly drought-tolerant plant is characterised by its striking, multi-branched, pencil-thin, bright green stems that resemble a tangled mass of fingers or coral. It is renowned for its milky white, highly irritating, and toxic latex.
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Distinguishing features
A succulent shrub or small tree with numerous, slender, cylindrical, pencil-like stems that are bright green.
Stems are multi-branched, forming a dense, brush-like or coral-like mass.
Leaves are tiny, ephemeral, and often absent, appearing only on new growth and quickly falling off.
Flowers are minute and inconspicuous, located at the tips of branches.
Produces a highly irritating and toxic milky white latex when cut or broken.
Overall appearance:
Euphorbia tirucalli presents a unique, almost alien-like appearance due to its complete dominance by succulent stems and the near absence of visible leaves. It forms a dense, intricately branched bush or a small tree with a rounded or irregular crown, composed entirely of slender, green "fingers."
Height:
Typically grows between 2 and 5 metres tall as a shrub, but can reach up to 10 metres as a small tree under ideal conditions.
Width:
Can spread widely, forming a dense clump 2–6 metres in diameter due to its branching habit.
Leaves:
Very small (about 1 cm long), linear or awl-shaped, and ephemeral (short-lived).
They are typically present only on new growth and quickly drop off, making the plant appear leafless most of the time.
Photosynthesis is primarily carried out by the green stems.
Flowers:
Minute, inconspicuous, yellowish or greenish, and borne in small clusters (cyathia) at the tips of the branches or in the axils of fallen leaves.
They are surrounded by tiny, yellowish bracts.
The plant is monoecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on the same plant, but in separate structures.
Flowering season:
Flowers sporadically throughout the year, but most commonly in late autumn to winter, typically from April to July.
Fruits:
Small, three-lobed, dehiscent capsules, about 8 mm in diameter, that ripen to a brownish colour.
When ripe, they explode, dispersing the seeds explosively (ballistic dispersal).
Seeds:
Small, round, brownish, and smooth. They are dispersed explosively from the fruit.
Bark:
Smooth and greenish on younger stems, becoming rougher and greyish-brown with age, sometimes developing corky patches.
Stems:
The most characteristic feature: numerous, cylindrical, succulent, pencil-thick (about 5–7 mm in diameter), smooth, and bright green stems. They are highly branched, often dichotomously, forming a tangled mass.
Wood:
The stems are fleshy and succulent, not woody in the traditional sense, though older stems can become somewhat lignified.
Thorns:
This plant is essentially thornless, though some sources might refer to the hardened stipules (small leaf-like appendages at the base of the leaves) as thorn-like. However, it does not possess true thorns like many other Euphorbia species.
Roots:
Possesses a fibrous root system that helps anchor the plant and absorb moisture, adapting well to arid conditions.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable, preferring well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils. It tolerates poor and arid conditions. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to light shade. It is highly drought-tolerant and sensitive to frost, requiring a warm, frost-free climate. Coastal forms may tolerate light salt spray.
Edibility:
Not edible. Highly toxic.
Toxicity:
All parts of the plant produce a copious, milky white latex (sap) that is highly toxic and extremely irritating.
Skin Contact: Can cause severe skin irritation, blistering, and dermatitis. It is a potent vesicant.
Eye Contact: Can cause severe pain, temporary blindness, and permanent damage if it gets into the eyes. Always wear eye protection when handling.
Ingestion: Highly poisonous, causing severe gastrointestinal upset, burning sensation, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Safety: Handle with extreme caution. Wear gloves and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after contact. Keep away from children and pets.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: Popular in arid, succulent, or rock gardens for its unique architectural form and striking appearance. Also grown as a pot plant indoors in colder climates.
Hedge/Security Barrier: Its dense, multi-branched growth makes it an effective, though toxic, living fence or barrier in warmer climates.
Traditional Uses: Traditionally used in some cultures for various medicinal purposes (e.g., treating warts, skin diseases, ringworm, and intestinal parasites), but this is extremely risky due to its high toxicity. It has also been used as a fish poison.
Biofuel Research: Shows potential as a source of petroleum-like hydrocarbons, being investigated as a possible "petroleum plant" or source of renewable energy.
Pest Control: Its latex is sometimes used as a natural insecticide.
Ecology:
Drought Adaptation: Its succulent stems and ephemeral leaves are adaptations for survival in arid environments, minimising water loss.
Pollination: Flowers are very small, likely pollinated by small insects.
Defense: The toxic latex provides a strong chemical defense against herbivores.
Distribution and habitat:
Euphorbia tirucalli is native to arid and semi-arid regions of Southern and East Africa, and extends into India. Its exact native range is somewhat obscured by widespread cultivation.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West.
Habitat: Found in open woodlands, bushveld, rocky outcrops, and sandy plains, particularly in frost-free, arid or semi-arid regions. It often grows in disturbed areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Euphorbia honours Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia (50 BCE–23 CE), who used the latex of a Euphorbia species for medicinal purposes.
The species epithet tirucalli is derived from the plant's common name in Malayalam, 'tiru-kalli', meaning "sacred plant" or "divine spurge" in parts of India, where it was introduced and became naturalised.
Common names like "Pencil Tree" or "Finger Tree" refer to the shape of its stems. "Milk Bush" refers to its copious milky latex.
Historical aspects:
Euphorbia tirucalli has been extensively cultivated and naturalised in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide for centuries, both as an ornamental and for its traditional medicinal uses, despite its toxicity. Its potential as a source of biofuel has drawn renewed scientific interest in recent decades.
Interesting facts
A very popular cultivar of this plant is Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' with yellow to red stems.
This plant is famous for its "petroleum potential" – some scientists believe its milky sap could be processed into fuel, making it a future energy source!
Don't let its friendly "Pencil Tree" name fool you; break a stem, and a sticky, milky sap oozes out that can be super irritating to skin and eyes – handle with care!
Even though it's called a "tree," it barely has any leaves! Its green, pencil-like stems do all the work of photosynthesising, making it a true desert survivor.
Growing tips
Propagation: Easily propagated from stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to dry and form a callus for a few days to a week before planting in well-drained soil to prevent rot.
Planting: Requires full sun and excellent drainage. Plant in sandy or rocky soils.
Watering: Extremely drought-tolerant. Water sparingly, especially during winter, to prevent rot. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure.
Frost: Very sensitive to frost. Must be grown in warm, frost-free climates. In colder regions, grow as a container plant and bring indoors during winter.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Prune to shape if desired, but always wear protective gloves and eye protection due to the toxic latex.
Safety: Crucially, be aware of its highly irritating and toxic milky latex. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or pruning. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Euphorbiaceae (Greek and Latin plant name) - Order: Malpighiales