Common name: African milktree. Tamil name: Palkalli
Native to Africa this plant grows to a height of about 5 meters. The branches are held close to the center and several branches emerge out in a columnar manner. The green stem in triangular in cross section, and edges are lined with paired thorns. It can easily be mistaken for a cactus family member. However, in the case of cactus the flowers emerge from areoles, the same portion that give arise to thorns. Moreover, cactus flowers are showy, rather big, with distinguishable petals, stamens etc: like a proper flower. However in the case of Euphorbiaceae members, in general the flowers are not showy and rudimentary-often petals replaced by bracts. African milktree has succulent green branches which do the photosynthetic function. Leafs do emerge on the edges of the triangular structure, they are small rudimentary. They are typical oval in shape with a notched tip. They stay on the plant for a very short period of time. The milky sap of the plant is poisonous for both humans and animals. The flowers are inconspicuous and yellow-green in color. The plant is much valued for its unique shape and often planted as an ornamental.
