Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree)

Botanical name

Euphorbia trigona

Other names

African milk tree, Euphorbia hermentiana

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. trigona - E. trigona is a tender, evergreen, succulent shrub or small tree with erect, angular branches bearing paired, short, reddish-brown spines and small, tapering leaves borne along the branch ribs.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Branching, Clump-forming, Erect

Toxicity

Sap is a skin irritant

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Colour

Foliage

Green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Mealybugs

General care

Propagation methods

Root plantlets, Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in 3 parts loam-based compost, 1 part grit in full light. Ventilate well. In growth, water sparingly and give a low-nitrogen liquid feed monthly; keep dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in full sun.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree)

Common pest name

Powdery mildew: cotton; Powdery mildew: eggplant; Powdery mildew: pepper; Powdery mildew: tomato

Scientific pest name

Leveillula taurica

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Believed to be present and no statutory action is being taken. Status needs to be confirmed by survey.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree)

Common pest name

Banded-winged whitefly

Scientific pest name

Trialeurodes abutiloneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous whitefly native to the Americas with the potential to introduce harmful viruses to the UK. EU regulation should be considered and further assessed by EPPO.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/