Brighten your garden with firesticks
Pencil tree variety is colorful option that grows well here
It is easy to see how the pencil tree, Euphorbia tirucalli, got its name. This succulent looks like a tangled mess of slender branches that are thin as pencils. There are around 1,600 species of pencil trees worldwide.
Native to Africa, if left unpruned, this variety of pencil tree can grow up to 20 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It is grown in Africa around the perimeter of compounds or corrals to prevent unwanted wildlife from entering. It is also used to form a natural security fence to keep intruders out of African compounds.
In 1980, a South African breeder created a variety of pencil tree that was smaller and bushier
than the traditional pencil tree. This new variety had orange-red tips on its branches that gave it the common name “Sticks on Fire” (Firestick cactus, Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’). Its common name was eventually shortened to “firesticks.”
Although pretty, firesticks produce white latex sap that is acidic and can cause rashes and blistering when it touches a person’s skin. Since there are no thorns or sharp spines
for protection, this plant uses its toxic sap to deter predators. Like many toxic plants, its horrible taste prevents animals, such as deer and rabbits, from eating it.
If you have children or pets, be aware of the symptoms to watch for in the event of accidental ingestion of its branches:
• Burning in and around the mouth
• Irregular heartbeat
• Stomach cramps
• Skin rashes
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Asthma
The type of symptoms and their severity depend upon the amount of plant eaten. In case of ingestion, remove any remnants of the plant from the child or pet’s mouth and rinse with water. Take the child to the ER if symptoms are severe.
To prevent burning on your skin or a possible rash when pruning firesticks, wear thick gloves and eye protection. If you accidentally touch your face, eyes or other parts of your body with sap on your hands, the sap will cause pain and burning.
Even though its sap makes it a plant to grow with caution, it is a popular plant used for hedges or as a specimen plant in a bed or container, depending upon the variety. Small firesticks are sold in most nurseries and can be easily transplanted. This plant grows well in Yuma and thrives in our warm climate.
Choose a location that receives six hours of sunshine daily. Once planted, water well and wait until the soil dries before watering again. This is a drought-tolerant plant that does not need weekly watering. The more you water, the faster the plant will branch and grow, and the more often you will need to prune.
In spring, hundreds of tiny, cream-colored blooms appear on the tips of its branches. The blooms attract all types of native bees, as well as domestic honey bees.
Firesticks make a colorful plant to brighten a corner of your garden and can be enjoyed for years to come.
Happy gardening!