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African Milkbush

Euphorbia umbellata (yoo-FOR-bee-uh um-bell-AY-tuh)

Family: Euphorbiaceae Unknown Understory (15-40 ft)

The African milk bush is a semi-succulent evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the dry tropical areas of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. This plant is erect, thornless, multi-branched, and has large, fleshy leaves. It is grown as an ornamental or hedge and can reach up to 8 to 16 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. It is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The specific epithet, umbellata , is the Latin word for "umbrella" or "having umbels." This species thrives in bright, indirect light, and a well-drained potting mix with sand or loam. They prefer moderate temperatures between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the plant when it is almost completely dry. Propagate this plant by stem cuttings. . The leaves are dark green, simple, fleshy, alternate, and grow toward the end of the stems. The underside of the leaves are a paler green. The flowers are yellowish-green to green, and the bracts are purplish-green and reddish-purple. This plant has green branches, light gray bark, and milky white sap. The African milk bush can be used as a container planting or as hedge for privacy or windbreak. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The African milk bush is usually pest and disease resistant; however, monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Potential diseases include root rot and fungal diseases. Keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets. The milky sap is a skin irritant; therefore, wear protective gloves when handling this plant. All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 65 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 2 - Understory (15-40 ft) Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Cordyline fruticosa Euphorbia lactea Euphorbia resinifera

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Houseplant; Poisonous; Shrub; Succulent; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Obovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are fleshy, simple, alternate, oblanceolate, spirally arranged, and dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. The leaf measures up to 6 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. They are sparsely hairy, and the margins may be entire or finely toothed. The leaves are usually crowded at the tips of the stems. The petiole is absent or if present, measures only about 0.5 inches long.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The inflorescences are terminal or axillary and are branched clusters or cymes of a few cyathia. The flowers are small, green to yellowish-green and inconspicuous. They are in a small cup with a red rim of glands. Purplish bracts protect the flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a red capsule that has short hair and 3-lobes. The seeds are ovoid and 2mm long.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is light gray, and the trunk measures up to 6 inches wide.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stems are fleshy and green to purplish and cylindrical without hairs. The older stems are pale gray and have prominent leaf scars.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
South Sudan to Burundi and Tanzania
Distribution
Native to Introduced to Bangladesh and India.
Play value
Wind Break
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule

Edibility

Toxic if ingested.

Uses (ethnobotany)

Parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaf sap is used to treat intestinal parasites, treat cardiac problems, and applied to abscesses.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden
Design feature
Hedge
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #problem for cats #poisonous #problem for children #houseplant #container plant #contact dermatitis #succulent #bright light #drought tolerant #humidity tolerant #small tree #poisonous if ingested #shrub #hedge #broadleaf evergreen
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Drought; Humidity
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
Toxic principle
Diterpine esters
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Seeds; Stems; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.

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