Euphorbia umbellata
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Euphorbia umbellata

زبان فارسی را فعال کنید · گل فردوس · گل فردوس سمی · حسام · افوربیا سینادنیوم (گل فردوس)

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun Toxicity: high
Water every
7 days
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 5–11
Click count
817
Observations
762

Description

Source: leafsnap

Euphorbia umbellata, commonly known as the umbrella spurge, is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to South Africa, this plant can grow up to 60 cm in height. It features a distinctive appearance with its umbrella-like arrangement of leaves and small yellow-green flowers that bloom in clusters at the tops of its stems. The leaves of Euphorbia umbellata are arranged in whorls around the stem, creating an umbrella-like structure at each node. The narrow, pointed leaves are glossy green, providing a striking contrast against the plant's pale stems. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun exposure, though it can also tolerate partial shade. While it is drought-tolerant, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Euphorbia umbellata has long been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous people, valued for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it should be handled with caution as it contains toxic latex sap, which can cause skin irritation or even blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes. Overall, Euphorbia umbellata is an attractive succulent plant that is well-suited for rock gardens or as an accent piece in any garden setting, thanks to its unique appearance and low maintenance requirements.

🌳 African Milk Bush possesses untapped potential as a bioenergy source because its abundant sap can be converted into biofuel. In addition, African Milk Bush's specific uptake of metals can be used for biomonitoring, acting as an indicator of soil health and as a potential phytoremediation agent in contaminated areas.

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days

The African Milk Bush, native to arid regions, is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, making it well-suited to dry conditions. It should be watered only once every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings. As a succulent, the African Milk Bush is often grown indoors to prevent exposure to excessive moisture. During extended dry periods, its metabolism slows down.

Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun

African Milk Bush does best in full sun, though it can tolerate lower light levels. Native to regions with abundant sunlight, its health and growth are strongly influenced by light exposure. Too much or too little sunlight can adversely affect its growth.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

African Milk Bush is a hardy plant, suited to grow in climate zones with temperatures between 59 and 100 °F (15 to 38 ℃). It is native to warm temperate areas and tolerates slight temperature fluctuations. In winter, provide warmer conditions if temperatures fall drastically.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Timing is essential when fertilizing the African Milk Bush. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue doing so monthly until early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy both during dormancy and in active growth periods.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
Suggested frequency: Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning

To keep your African Milk Bush healthy and attractive, it's important to prune it regularly, ideally from early to late winter. Start by removing any dead or damaged sections, and always wear gloves to protect yourself from the plant's irritating sap. Regular pruning helps maintain the plant's shape, encourages bushier growth, and improves airflow. These practices not only enhance the plant's overall health and appearance but also help reduce the risk of disease.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

It has long been known that the plant is very poisonous and irritating. If latex comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, a burning sensation, rashes, and blisters will occur. Symptoms may not manifest immediately and may emerge hours later. Ingestion of the latex may be lethal, and it is also employed as a fish poison. Latex is a component of arrow poison in Rwanda. In Kenya and Tanzania, cannabis is sometimes used for illegal reasons.

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Euphorbia
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
3.35 m
Mature Spread
3.35 m
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Summer
Native Area
Burundi, Mozambique, Zambia, Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Congo (DRC), Uganda, Tanzania

Tags (17)

Common Names (14)

ar زبان فارسی را فعال کنید
ar گل فردوس
ar گل فردوس سمی
ar حسام
ar افوربیا سینادنیوم (گل فردوس)
en African milk bush
en Mojtaba
en Mjtklr
en Matin pashazadeh
en Benyamin
en Bahar
en Arash
en Mohsen
en Neda