Euphorbia canariensisForssk. Euphorbia canariensisThunb. Euphorbia canariensis Tremaut[2] Tithymalus quadrangularis Kigg[3]
Euphorbia canariensis, commonly known as the Canary Island Spurge or as Hercules Club to horticulturalists[4] is a succulent member of the family Euphorbiaceae and genusEuphorbia[1] that grows natively in the arid and humid environment of the lowest areas in the Canary Islands which it is also endemic to.[5]
Canary Island Spurge is a small tree, growing to 3 metres (9.8 ft) to 4 metres (13 ft) high. Fleshy quadrangular or pentagonal trunks that are like a cactus. The leaves grow in clusters of three or four and have 'turned into spines' 5 millimetres (0.20 in) to 14 millimetres (0.55 in) long. Reddish-green flowers.[5] Hardy to −2 °C (30 °F).[6]
The latex which contains diterpenes[7] is considered highly toxic.[8]
Distribution
Found on the narrow coastal belt, from sea level to 0 metres (0 ft) to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) in the Canary Islands.[8]