Kingdom Plantae Family Euphorbiaceae Tribe Euphorbieae Scientific name Euphorbia canariensis Rank Species | Order Malpighiales Subfamily Euphorbioideae Subtribe Euphorbiinae Higher classification Spurges | |
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Similar Spurges, Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia atropurpurea, Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbia heptagona | ||
Euphorbia canariensis
Euphorbia canariensis, commonly known as the Canary Island spurge, Hercules club or in Spanish cardón, is a succulent member of the genus Euphorbia and family Euphorbiaceae endemic to the Canary Islands. It is the plant symbol of the island of Gran Canaria.
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Description
The Canary Island spurge is a succulent shrub, growing to between 3 and 4 metres (10 and 13 ft) high. It is made up of fleshy quadrangular or pentagonal trunks that look like cacti. The leaves grow in clusters of three or four and have inward-turning spines 5 to 14 millimetres (0.20 to 0.55 in) long. It produces reddish-green flowers. It is hardy to −2 °C (28 °F).
The latex, which contains diterpenes is poisonous.
Distribution
The species is found on the narrow coastal belt, from sea level to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) in the Canary Islands.
