Tree like shape with small leaves, looks like a bloated plant.

by Thomas
(Canada)

Thick, bloated trunk with many branches stemming from it. Has tiny leaves sparsely placed all over. When cut it weeps white milk like substance. Bought it at an ikea and the only description is "assorted succulent" .


Drought Smart Plants reply:

Thomas, be really careful with this plant - I mean it! These are some of the most poisonous of all succulents, and I'm really upset that these box stores sell them to completely unsuspecting home owners.

Anytime you see that kind of white sap, it's bad news. See the page here for more:

Poisonous Succulent Plants - pay particular attention to the information about Euphorbia, click on the link about them to find out why you have to be really alert and careful with them - even experienced gardeners and horticulturists have run into major problems due to the extremely caustic nature of the sap.

Good luck with your plant, and I hope you make the right choice on whether to keep it around or not - personally, I would be making a formal complaint about this to the store you bought it from. They should not be getting these kinds of plants from their supplier, who is obviously pawning off whatever they please, with not a care in the world for the buying public.

Rant over!

Best of luck,
Jacki