Euphorbia tirucalli9/2/2023 ![]() ![]() The family and genus name “Euphorbia” were given by the Swedish botanist and author Carl Linnaeus back in 1753. History of the Euphorbia Tirucalli Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons As a result, his quest was unsuccessful and the idea was later scrapped. Calvin found he had over-estimated the production levels. He estimated that a single acre could potentially produce 10 to 50 barrels of oil. Chemist Melvin Calvin cleverly exploited this characteristic and went on to cultivate the species in a bid to commercially produce oil. As mentioned, it naturally produces a poisonous latex sap that can be easily converted into a fuel-basically the equivalent of gasoline. This Euphorbia tirucalli is a hydrocarbon plant. Far more manageable than a native 30-foot specimen! A Fuel-Producing Hydrocarbon Plant When grown as a houseplant, you can expect a top height of around 6 – 8 feet tall. Many enthusiasts overwinter their Euphorbia tirucalli indoors, then site it outside for the summer months, which seems to work quite well. It’s only suitable for outdoor growing in zones 9 to 12. The pencil cactus is treated as a frost-tender succulent in cooler climates, perfect for agreenhouse or conservatory. Suitable Growing Environments for your Euphorbia tirucalli Photo credit: Wikimedia Commonsĭue to the temperature environment, the Pencil Cactus is quite a common sight in Sri Lanka. ![]() Outside of Africa, this intriguing specimen plant is also found in India, Indonesia, China and the Philippines. This is because it has similar properties to gasoline. It’s also used as a cattle feed crops, as well as for extensive commercial cultivation for fuel. Its dense, thicket-like structure is regularly used as farm barriers and hedging, hence its common name of “Rubber Hedge Euphorbia”. There, this branched, variable succulent readily self-seeds, often reaching heights of up to 30 feet tall. It’s native to Africa’s semi-arid and tropical climates, and is most prolific in North Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The Euphorbia tirucalli is my species of interest today, also known as the “Pencil Cactus” or “Sticks of Fire”. The Euphorbia tirucalli-Pencil Cactus plant This is just one of the characteristics used to identify them as part of the huge Euphorbiaceae plant family. Regardless of their country of origin, they all have one component in common: the toxic latex sap held within their stems and branches. In fact, more than 200 are found in Southern Africa alone. More than two thousand Euphorbia species grow throughout temperate areas of the world. In maturity, the latter reaches a height of just 8 inches. Species of Euphorbiaceae range from towering trees ( Euphorbia ingens) to the tiny, slow-growing Euphorbia bupleurifolia. It’s why they thrive everywhere from the dry, arid landscapes of Southern Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, to India, Indonesia, China and Sri Lanka.Īll About Euphorbia tirucalli Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons ![]() This clever plant adaptation has enabled this genus to survive in some of the harshest of natural habitats. This widespread family of stem succulents has evolved over time to develop characteristics similar to cacti. The Euphorbia tirucalli is one of over two thousand splendid and diverse plant life within the Euphorbiaceae family. ![]()
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