Euphorbia heptagona
Species of succulent flowering plant in the spurge family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Euphorbia heptagona, sometimes referred to as the milk barrel or pincushion euphorbia, is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia native to South Africa. The species is also grown as a houseplant.[citation needed]
| Euphorbia heptagona | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. heptagona |
| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia heptagona | |
Description
Euphorbia heptagona forms dense clusters of small succulent branches. Each branch typically has four ridges, each with a line of long spines.[citation needed] Young spines are often red or yellow, darkening to black as they mature.[1] Like all Euphorbia species, Euphorbia heptagona exudes toxic white latex when damaged.[2]
Euphorbia heptagona closely resembles many cacti, but this resemblance is due to convergent evolution. Euphorbias are not closely related to cacti.
Tests on the plant have identified the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, and phytosterols.[2]
Taxonomy
The species was named Euphorbia heptagona in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. It is classified in the genus Euphorbia as part of the Euphorbiaceae family. It has twelve heterotypic synonyms several varieties, but no accepted varieties.[3]
| Name | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Anthacantha desmetiana Lem. | 1858 | species |
| Euphorbia atrispina N.E.Br. | 1915 | species |
| Euphorbia atrispina var. viridis A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane | 1941 | variety |
| Euphorbia enopla Boiss. | 1860 | species |
| Euphorbia enopla var. dentata A.Berger | 1906 | variety |
| Euphorbia enopla var. viridis A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane | 1941 | variety |
| Euphorbia heptagona var. dentata (A.Berger) N.E.Br. | 1915 | variety |
| Euphorbia heptagona var. fulvispina A.Berger | 1902 | variety |
| Euphorbia heptagona var. ramosa A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane | 1941 | variety |
| Euphorbia heptagona var. subsessilis A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane | 1941 | variety |
| Euphorbia heptagona var. viridis A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane | 1941 | variety |
| Euphorbia morinii A.Berger | 1907 | species |
Names
Euphorbia heptagona is known by the common name milk barrel.[4]
Habitat
Native to South Africa, Euphorbia heptagona commonly grows in the Eastern Cape and Karoo regions.[2]
It grows best in well-drained soil and with direct sunlight.[2]
