Euphorbia umbellata

Common Names

African Milk Bush

Summary

Euphorbia umbellata is a succulent evergreen shrub or small tree native to tropical eastern Africa and widely cultivated elsewhere. It is erect, thornless, and multi-branched, typically reaching about 3.5–10 m in height and 2.4–3.7 m in width, with large fleshy dark green leaves that are alternate and obovate. A distinctive feature is copious milky latex that is highly irritating and toxic; inflorescences are red, with yellowish-green to green flowers, and red capsules complete the fruiting, contributing to an umbrella-like silhouette suggested by the name umbella.

Growth favors sunny to light shade and a very well-drained soil mix (sand or perlite with small gravel); watering should be thorough, then allowed to dry before the next watering, and fertilizer is best applied once per year with a balanced mix. Propagation is possible by seeds or stem cuttings, with cuttings dipped in charcoal dust to prevent latex leakage and rooted in sand. Commonly grown as an ornamental, hedge, or ground-cover plant and can be cultivated under glass in cooler climates; the milky latex is toxic, and all parts are poisonous, requiring careful handling. Latex fractions have shown cytotoxic activity against cancer cells.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

197-394 inches

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10a-11b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Very well-drained sandy or rocky soil, pH 6.1–6.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.1-6.5

Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Time

Winter to Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green with a paler green underside

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth; under optimal conditions full size is typically reached in about 2–3 years.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Stem cuttings, Root cuttings