by Bill
This is a dark green plant. The stems are triangular or 3 sided. There are very small thin spikes at the end of each tip. Towards the top of the plant near the spikes it also has green leaves about 1-2 inches long and about a half inch wide. My plant is only 2 feet tall, however, I got it from my father-in-law and he has another one that he has had to trim it down when it reaches the ceiling.
Drought Smart Plants reply:
Hi Bill, this is one of the Euphorbia, which contain a really poisonous sap.
The sap if splashed or accidentally transmitted to your skin or eyes can be extremely damaging.
Please use extreme caution when handling this plant, particularly around children or pets.
Ingesting all parts of the plant can cause death, so these plants are not something to take lightly.
You can see more about Euphorbia here. Scroll down and look at other visitors stories about these dangerous, yet intriguing plants.
In particular see this story: Uncommon Plant which is very similar to your plant.
Poisonous Succulent Plants page will tell you more about these plants, and how to avoid problems.
Please make sure you click on the link that says ‘How Dangerous are Euphorbias?” to go a site with more information.
Best of luck with your plant – stay safe!
Jacki
Comments for Tall, triangular, grean leaves at top
Mar 18, 2012
Species?
by: Bill
Jacki,
That is great to know. Do you know what species of Euphorbia it is? I am certainly going to give my plant back to my father-in-law as I have a young child in the house. However, I would like to give him more information about it. He has had his plant for well over 20 years, and his brother also has a couple of these that are the same age.
Thanks,
Bill
Drought Smart Plants reply; from what I can determine, this is Euphorbia trigona, the African Milk Tree. (This link opens in a new window on Dave’s Garden website)
I commend you for your concern – I would feel terrible if a small child was injured (or worse) by this plant.
Best of luck!
Jacki
