Euphorbia candelabrum (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Euphorbia candelabrum (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Euphorbia candelabrum Euphorbiaceae Indigenous
Common names
- English: Candelabra euphorbia, Tree euphorbia
- Amargna: Kulkual
- Oromugna: Adami
Ecology
Grows in both dry deciduous and evergreen woodlands in Dry and Moist Kolla and Weyna Dega agroclimatic zones in Shoa, Harerge, Bale and Sidamo, 1,200–1,700 m.
Uses
Firewood, timber (roofing, tables, matches, boxes, saddles), fence (cut branches), live fence.
Description
A tree up to 15 m, the trunk thick, to 3 m, where the lower branches have fallen away. Erect branches have 3–5 spiny ribs or wings and branches go on dividing to make a large round crown. The green-grey stems have many narrow “waists” and have taken over the leaf function to make food.
- LEAVES: No true leaves, just scales.
- FLOWERS: Small, green-yellow and fleshy in groups of 4–6 next to the paired spines.
- FRUIT: Green-red pea-size capsules, seeds spotted with dirty white.
Propagation
Cuttings.
Seed
- Treatment: Not applicable
- Storage: Not applicable
Management
Continuous reinforcement planting if grown as a fence. Do planting when the rain is about to stop. Prefers well drained soil or site.
Remarks
All parts of the plant produce copious milky latex which is poisonous; even one drop in the eye may cause blindness. When dry the light durable wood has many local uses and is good for roofing.
