| Pencil Milkbush |
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| File size | 96617 |
| Original date | 5/22/14 2:37 PM |
| Resolution | 840 x 631 |
| Flash | Flash did not fire, auto |
| Focal length | 55.0mm |
| Exposure time | 1/125s |
| Aperture | 9.0 |
| Focus Distance | |
| Metering Mode | Multi-segment |
| Camera make | Canon |
| Camera model | Canon EOS 600D |
| Sensor type |
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Botanical name: Euphorbia mauritanica Family: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family)
Synonyms: Euphorbia paxiana, Euphorbia melanosticta
Synonyms: Euphorbia paxiana, Euphorbia melanosticta
Pencil Milkbush is a tall fleshy shrub with bright
yellow flowers eminently suitable for a rock garden. The species name
pertains to the Mauri tribe (after which the Moors were named) of the
ancient country of Mauretania in North Africa. It is a spineless,
much-branched fleshy shrub, about 1.5 m tall, with branches arising
from a thick root stock. Branches are yellowish green, pencil-thin,
cylindrical and smooth, with alternate leaf scars. This plant produces
yellow flowers (technically cyathia) that are in a compact group at the
end of each young branch. When the plant is cut, it produces milky sap.
It is reputed to be poisonous. Bushmen use the latex (sap) solely for
its cohesive properties. Some people believe the latex contains a
'virulent resin' which makes the plant useless as a livestock food.
Indeed, this euphorbia has been suspected of causing death in sheep.
Pencil Milkbush is native to Africa. Flowering: August-October.
| Identification credit: Arun Kumar N | Photographed in Amruth Herbal Gardens, FRLHT, Bangalore. |
• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,