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Euphorbia intisy - Drake

Common Name Intisy, Pencil Plant
Family Euphorbiaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards In almost all cases, the latex found in Euphorbia species is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially when it comes into contact with eyes or open cuts[200 ].
Habitats Dry bushland[338 ].
Range Africa - Madagascar.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Semi-shade Full sun
Euphorbia intisy Intisy, Pencil Plant


llifle.com Valentino Vallicelli
Euphorbia intisy Intisy, Pencil Plant
Barry Stock

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Euphorbia intisy is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought. The plant is not wind tolerant.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Tirucalia intisy (Drake) P.V.Heath

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

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Other Uses

A high-quality rubber is obtained from the latex[317 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Management: Coppice  Regional Crop

An easy species to grow that is suited for any well drained soil in full sun. But young plant are happy growing indoors, where they can easily reach the ceiling. Use an airy growing medium of non organic material such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould. Water regularly during the active growing season. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep almost completely dry in winter. It is a moderately fast grower quickly become large landscape plant in just 3-5 years. Strong winds cause permanent scarring. Fast growing and long lived once established. It can tolerate moderate shade.

Carbon Farming

  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Pencil Plant, Pencil Cactus, Rubber Hedge Euphorbia.

Native Range

AFRICA: Madagascar

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern

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123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Drake

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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