Cactus Pencil Tree – Euphorbia tirucalli

General Landscape Uses: Accent, screen Ecological Restoration Notes: Frequently used in arid regions for reforestation and land reclamation because it can grow in severely degraded soils. Description: A succulent shrub or small tree with smooth, cylindrical, pencil-thick green branches. It is largely leafless; the tiny leaves that appear on new growth fall off quickly, leaving a dense thicket of photosynthetic stems. Dimensions: Height 13 – 30 ft.; Spread 5 – 10 ft. Growth Rate: Fast Native Range: Africa and Arabian peninsula Native Habitats: Dry savannas, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands. It is often found in areas with high solar radiation and low rainfall. Soils: Well-drained, sand, rock Nutritional Requirements: Low Salt Water Tolerance: Low Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate to high Drought Tolerance: High Light Requirements: Full sun Flower Color: Yellowish-green Flower Characteristics: Produces tiny, inconspicuous clusters called cyathia at the ends of the branches. Flowering Season: Late spring to summer Fruit: A small, three-lobed capsule that “explodes” when ripe to disperse seeds. Wildlife and Ecology: In its native range, it provides habitat for birds and insects, though its toxic sap makes it unpalatable to most herbivores. It is a known host for certain specialized moths. Horticultural Notes: Grown from cuttings, seed Comments: