Euphorbia trigona

Triangular spurge ( Euphorbia trigonal )

The Triangular spurge ( Euphorbia trigonal, Syn. Euphorbia hermentiana Lem ) is a flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbia ) from the family of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ). The name of the German botanical and point to the ever -edged three branches of the species.

Description and dissemination

The Triangular spurge is reached, a succulent, compact growing shrub or tree, the growth heights of up to 1.8 meters. Its branches are strictly erect, triangular and held close to the trunk. They have a diameter 4-6 cm, ( indistinct ) constricted into segments of 10 to 25 cm, arising from the annual (!) Growth and show on dark green background a bright green pattern. On the slightly winged edges of the branches sit at a distance of about 1 cm initially reddish, later dark, 5 mm long shields. This wear a pair approximately 5 mm long thorns, which are converted stipules. The lanceolate leaves are at the beginning of the growing season often less than 1 cm long, short-lived, later mostly 3-5 cm long. They usually appear a few months, in exceptional cases ( no direct sunlight ) for several years. Side shoots develop on the edges of a barely visible bud between the thorns. Most occur in a narrow range initially very many side shoots, but most of which remain hesitant small, but can be reactivated by the plant at any time. From a size of about 1 m and a larger number of lateral shoots, the plant at the bottom of lignified and externally.

In the frequently encountered in the commercial cultivar Euphorbia trigonal fa. rubra are branches and leaves dyed more or less red.

Flowers never appear.

This species is widespread in tropical areas of Asia and Africa, however, known only in cultivation. During their centuries -long use as a hedge plant only the most vigorous and most densely growing plants were propagated by cuttings. Since this selection to the "useless " flowers no value has been set, all plants of the triangular spurge are blühunfähig nowadays.

Cultivation

The Triangular spurge is a widespread and popular house plant which it did not in fact be capable. The reason for its widespread deployment in culture in addition to its attractiveness mainly their ability to endure long and low visibility in poor conditions. She also takes care very unfavorable circumstances often for years with no obvious signs of suffering for lay back and even grows still active, but suddenly breaks together and rots within a short time away. Their owners are usually very surprised about it, because the plant grew well but so far and they have not changed in their care.

The reason why the three- edged spurge is unsuitable as a houseplant, is their strong growth. In tropical countries, it is only up to 1.8 m tall, in Germany can also reach 3 m within a few years. Who this plant procures itself, so it should keep in mind that they will soon no longer fit on the window sill, but still needs a lot of light.

This situation can, however, create a ( strong ) cut back the plant which easily survive. It only needs to be taken that emerges from the wound minutes for the typical euphorbia poisonous milky sap. Skin contact with it should be avoided. Resistant gloves that requires fiddling with the thorny plant anyway to fix this danger. The unsightly wounds are not überwallt and remain permanently visible. However, the onset of the wound new growth leads after one to a few periods of growth to the fact that it is covered.

Like all succulent euphorbias also requires the Triangular spurge a lot of light, warmth, well-drained soil, adequate supply of water and nutrients.

Possible confusion

Because of its cactus -like appearance which Triangular spurge is often mistaken for a cactus. However, there are reliable criteria by which spurge ( Euphorbia ) can be distinguished from cacti.

• Thorns on shields, there are only ( a large group of ) euphorbias. In cactus thorns are, however, always " areoles " said felted upholstery.
• Paired spines, which are typical for ( a large group of ) euphorbia, never occur in cacti. Conversely, there are the typical cactus clump of thorns never at euphorbias.
• The typical euphorbia sap comes with cacti only a very small number of plants, namely a few Mammillarias ago. However, these are always globose to short cylindrical and densely spined of warts covered, so do not actually confused.

The main difference between euphorbias and cacti, namely the completely different flower structure, can not be observed because of the Blühunfähigkeit the triangular spurge.

Euphorbia lactea Haw. is also triangular, wearing a similar pattern on the branches and also does not bloom. However, they differ because of something splayed and less winged branches, a lighter body color and only 3 mm wide, circular leaves.

Euphorbia triangularis Desf. ex A.Berger is also repeatedly mistaken for the similar-sounding name with Euphorbia trigonal. However, they differ because clearly braced, three - to five -edged branches which bear no pattern.