That’s a Euphorbia, Family Euphorbiaceae, not a Cactus, Family Cactaceae.
Cactus or Euphorbia? How does one tell the difference? Prick it with a pin or make a small cut. If white sticky sap comes out, it’s a *Euphorbia*. This sap is a poisonous, tacky, latex – try not to get it on your skin as it is very difficult to get off and can cause an irritation. If it gets into the eyes it will result in temporary blindness lasting about two days. Cactus plants do not have this white sap. THIS PICTURE (click to see) shows the sap of a member of the *Euphorbia* family, *Synadenium cupulare* or ‘Dead Man’s Tree’.
Sprig
4 replies on “Cactus Flower”
That’s a Euphorbia, Family Euphorbiaceae, not a Cactus, Family Cactaceae.
Cactus or Euphorbia? How does one tell the difference? Prick it with a pin or make a small cut. If white sticky sap comes out, it’s a *Euphorbia*. This sap is a poisonous, tacky, latex – try not to get it on your skin as it is very difficult to get off and can cause an irritation. If it gets into the eyes it will result in temporary blindness lasting about two days. Cactus plants do not have this white sap. THIS PICTURE (click to see) shows the sap of a member of the *Euphorbia* family, *Synadenium cupulare* or ‘Dead Man’s Tree’.
thanks Lorraine, you are a mine of information!
i will second that, niall 😀