Red Ficus

Euphorbia grantii (commonly called the African Milk Bush, and sometimes Euphorbia umbellata or Synadenium grantii). it’s a striking succulent shrub or small tree featuring smoothed gray-green stems, sizeable strap-like leaves, and regularly branching form with colorful bracts or berries. 

• Species Name: Euphorbia grantii

• • Light: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.

  • Soil: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soils. Drought-tolerant once established.

  • Watering: Very little required—overwatering can cause root ro

• Stem & Leaves: Smooth, grey, horizontally grooved bark; semi-succulent branches with prominent leaf scars; leaves are sessile, linear to linear-lanceolate   dark green on top and paler underneath

• Flowers & Fruits: Small yellowish-green cyathia (typical Euphorbia inflorescences) in umbels, masked by purplish bracts; followed by red, three-lobed capsules containing ovoid seeds ~2 mm long 

• Toxicity & Ethnobotanical Uses

• All parts of the plant contain milky latex sap, which is highly toxic and a strong skin and eye irritant; ingestion can cause serious harm

• Ethnobotanical uses: Traditionally used as a living hedge, grave marker, and in traditional medicine (despite its toxicity) for treating ailments like parasites, earaches, sore throats