Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia family
SA Tree no 351
This tree prefers well-drained, sandy soils such as those found on rocky outcrops and termitaria. It prefers medium to low altitudes in various types of deciduous woodland. This is an evergreen tree with no obvious leaves, the trunk is short with a coarse bark. It is a small to medium size tree, 7 - 15 m, with moderate density.
The thick, straight, green branches have constricted, angular segments, and the dense, rounded crown is formed by branches that leave the trunk and then split up again. Unlike the Transvaal candelabra tree, this tree does not have thorns on the angles. All parts of the tree contain an irritant, milky latex which may cause blindness if it comes into eye contact. The branches are usually 4- to 5-winged and irregularly constricted. Spines paired, often reduce, up to 2 mm long, or absent; spine shields are usually obsolescent, becoming corky and senescent.
Links with animals - Under drought conditions, black rhino eat the branches of young trees, The fruit is eaten by a variety of birds.
Human uses - The wood is used for making planks. The latex is used for killing maggots in the open wounds of cattle. The poisonous latex is also used to stupefy fish, making it easier to catch them by hand.
Gardening - The tree can be used effectively in large rocky, well-drained gardens in the drier areas, although the latex makes it unsuitable for a family garden. It is very drought resistant, but susceptible to frost. Although it can be grown from seeds or cuttings, it is very slow growing.
Leaves - This plant has no visible leaves.
Flowers - Small yellow-green buds appear from autumn to winter, May to June. (10 mm)
Fruit - Berry-like, 3-lobed capsule round capsules ripen with a reddish tinge in spring, when they burst open on the tree, August to October. (13 mm)
Best places to see the Common Tree Euphorbia in Southern Africa:
The Common Tree Euphorbia is found in the Kruger National Park in the Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld & Lebombo Mountain Bushveld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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