Canary Island spurge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canary Island spurge |
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| Canary Island spurge close to the Mirador de Archipenque at Los Gigantes | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euphorbia
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| Species: |
canariensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Euphorbia canariensis Forssk. |
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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.
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. It has no leaves, instead bearing 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.
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Spines on a young shoot
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Flowers
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Fruit
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Distribution
The species is found on the narrow coastal belt, from sea level to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) in the Canary Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Euphorbia canariensis para niños
- List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands
