Friday, April 13, 2018

Exotic plant 04-13-18

Instead of Friday Feet I am showing a plant that has become increasingly popular in Orange County, CA, in the past ten years or so.  The name I hear the most is "Pencil Cactus", but it isn't really a cactus but rather a succulent.  It is easily propagated by cutting or breaking off a piece and sticking it in the ground.  Soon there is another whole plant growing.  
It is also known as "Sticks on Fire" and the "formal" name is Euphorbia tirucalli and it is native to Africa.
The wonderful thing about it is that growing in the full sun the "sticks" are a beautiful glowing red/orange.  It can be a house plant if kept pinched back or turn into a tall tree.  Some people have a skin reaction to the milky sap of the broken branches. 
More info: 

Here it is as a multi-trunked tree and also in mid-winter when it doesn't get a lot of sun. This specimen is about 15 feet tall.  On the left is a palm tree trunk. 

Here it is as a small bush, perhaps two feet tall and in full sun all day.
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