Elkhorn (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata') in the Euphorbias Database

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 10b +1.7 °C (35 °F) to +4.4 °C (40 °F)
Maximum recommended zone:	Zone 11
Leaves:	Deciduous
Flowers:	Inconspicuous Other: In the genus Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced in size and aggregated into a cluster of flowers called a cyathium (plural cyathia). This feature is present in every species of the genus Euphorbia but nowhere else in the plant kingdom.
Suitable Locations:	Xeriscapic
Uses:	Will Naturalize
Dynamic Accumulator:	B (Boron)
Resistances:	Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant
Toxicity:	Leaves are poisonous Roots are poisonous Fruit is poisonous Other: All members of the genus Euphorbia produce a milky sap called latex that is toxic and can range from a mild irritant to very poisonous.
Propagation: Other methods:	Cuttings: Stem
Containers:	Suitable in 1 gallon Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Needs excellent drainage in pots Prefers to be under-potted
Miscellaneous:	With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth

Common names

Elkhorn
Candelabra Plant
False Cactus
Dragon Bones
Euphorbia

Photo Gallery

Location: Coastal San Diego County
Date: 2019-05-08

Uploaded by carlysuko

Uploaded by piksihk

Uploaded by Fleur569

Uploaded by piksihk

Uploaded by RuuddeBlock

Uploaded by Lucichar

Uploaded by LAGardengirl

Uploaded by piksihk

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: Middle Tennessee
Date: 2012-10-30

Uploaded by SongofJoy

Uploaded by RuuddeBlock

Location: Frankfurt Botanical Garden
Date: 2018-01-29

Uploaded by RuuddeBlock

Location: Mobot - Missouri Botanical Garden - St Louis
Date: 2011-08-09

Uploaded by jmorth

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by a2b1c3

Location: Jersey City, NJ
Date: 2013-03
over 20yr growth; indoors

Uploaded by skylark

Location: Portland Nursery, Portland Or.

Uploaded by Joy

Location: Chandler, AZ - Sunsprite Cottage
Date: 02/20/2012 - Winter
Euphorbia lactea cristata variegata, Alabaster Swirl

Uploaded by GardenGuyAZ

Location: Middle Tennessee
Date: 2012-03-11
Grafted plant

Uploaded by SongofJoy

Uploaded by jeffgreen

Uploaded by jeffgreen

Uploaded by LAGardengirl

Uploaded by Lalambchop1

Location: MOBOT, St Louis
Date: 2011-08-09

Uploaded by jmorth

Location: Southwest Florida
Date: summer 2010
great crested specimen, but with some cold damage.

Uploaded by Dutchlady1

Location: Middle Tennessee
Date: 2012-03-11
Two grafts

Uploaded by SongofJoy

Location: Middle Tennesse
Date: 2012-03-11
graft

Uploaded by SongofJoy

Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2010-04-18

Uploaded by DaylilySLP

Uploaded by SongofJoy

Location: Tampa, FL
Date: 2015-05-02
At USF Botanical Gardens

Uploaded by mellielong

Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2019-09-14
Coral cactus (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'). Called Crested elkhor

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2017-11-02
Coral cactus (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'). Called Crested elkhor

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2017-09-17
Coral cactus (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'). Called Crested elkhor

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: Southwest Florida
Date: summer 2011
I have since removed the two bottom branches to maintain the cres

Uploaded by Dutchlady1

Location: Frankfurt Botanical Garden
Date: 2018-01-29
Some parts have fallen back to normal form

Uploaded by RuuddeBlock

Uploaded by jeffgreen

Uploaded by Paul2032

Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2008-03-07

Uploaded by DaylilySLP

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2018-07-26
Coral cactus (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'). Called Crested elkhor

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Uploaded by Nick_Kurzenko

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by Paul2032

Uploaded by DaylilySLP

Uploaded by DaylilySLP

This plant is tagged in:

Comments:

Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Mar 12, 2012 5:28 AM concerning plant:

Euphorbia lactea is a cactus-like succulent plant with 3 or 4-angled branches that are deeply scalloped and have black spines. It is used medicinally in India.

All plant parts are considered to be poisonous, especially the white, milky sap which is irritating to the skin, eyes and mouth.

The plant should be allowed to dry thoroughly between waterings. In the winter months, water should be restricted to once a month in order to avoid plant failure. Rot is the biggest cause of failure in this plant.

Euphorbia lactea "Cristata" is an intricately monstrous form with fan-shaped crested branches forming a ridge or crowded cluster. The crest form is often used in grafting.

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Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Coral cactus by piksihk	Feb 2, 2015 10:16 AM	1
ID question by Baja_Costero	Feb 7, 2019 12:43 PM	0

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Euphorbias Elkhorn (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata')

Euphorbias

Elkhorn (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata')