Euphorbias are members of one of the largest plant families, the Euphorbiaceae. This family contains 300 genera and over 5000 species, around 7500 varieties. The Euphorbia species alone includes about 2000 varieties: annuals, biennials, perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees. Some of these have succulent type leaves, some are deciduous, others evergreen; some are extremely hardy whilst others are tropical and very tender. In fact the most interesting thing about Euphorbias is the amazing range of plant forms, they display, especially in terms of size, conditions in which they grow: tolerance for heat and water needs and the varying lengths of time for which any individual plant can live. Most Euphorbias contain a milky liquid but sometimes this can be colourless.

Euphorbia was named after Euphorbus, a 1st century physician to King Juba of Mauritania. The species name ingens means huge.

Candelabra Tree is a spiny, succulent tree native to South Africa. The tree is naturally found in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. Euphorbia ingens is an upright, succulent tree with a dark green crown which is well rounded and often shaped like a hot-air balloon. Grows up to 10 meters tall.

Candelabra Tree’s branches are erect, segmented with spines running along the ridges. Segments constricted, 4-angled with wavy ridges. Spines are in pairs along the ridges and minute. It produces small, greenish yellow flowers on the ridges of the topmost segment of every branch from autumn to winter. The fruit, a round 3-lobed capsule, turns red to purple when ripening.

Euphorbia ingens prefers warm areas and can survive in areas that go through long periods of drought or are generally very dry. It usually grows on rocky outcrops or in deep sand within bushveld vegetation.

The latex of this tree is extremely toxic and can cause severe skin irritations, blindness and severe illness to humans and animals if swallowed. If correctly applied it can be medicinally used as a purgative or for the treatment of ulcers. The wood from the main trunk is light and tough and is used to make doors, planks and boats.

Candelabra Tree’s flowers attract butterflies, bees and other insects, which collect pollen and nectar from them, pollinating the trees in the process. The seeds are a good source of food for many fruit and berry eating birds. Birds also like nesting in these trees, hole-nesting birds such as woodpeckers often use dead sections.