| Euphorbia lactea | |
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| Variegated form, Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost' (below) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: |
E. lactea
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| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia lactea | |
Euphorbia lactea is a species of spurge native to arid and subtropical regions of South Asia, mainly the Indian Subcontinent.[3]
It is an erect shrub growing up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall, with succulent branches 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) diameter, ridged, with a triangular or rhombic cross-section; the ridges are spiny, with short, permanent spines up to 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long. The leaves are minute, and soon deciduous.[3] All parts of the plant contain a poisonous milky latex, containing several irritating alkaloids, such as phorbol.[4] Common names include mottled spurge,[5] frilled fan[citation needed], elkhorn[citation needed], candelabra spurge,[5] candelabrum tree, candelabra cactus, candelabra plant, dragon bones,[5] false cactus,[5] hatrack cactus,[5] milkstripe euphorbia, mottled candlestick.
It is used medicinally in India.[6] It is widely grown as an ornamental plant, both in the tropics, and as a houseplant in temperate regions; a number of cultivars have been selected for ornamental use, notably 'Cristata' with frilled branching.[3][7]
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