綠珊瑚

大戟科

學名:Euphorbia tirucalli L.

英名:Firestick Plants、Indian Tree Spurge、Naked Lady、Pencil Tree、Pencil Cactus、Sticks On Fire、Milk Bush

別名:青珊瑚、綠玉樹

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特色簡介 Feature Description

綠色肉質枝的形狀像珊瑚而得名,看似沒有葉片,其實在嫩枝上有細小的葉片,不過很快就掉落,所以會有沒葉片的錯覺,主要以富含葉綠素的枝進行光合作用。綠珊瑚與常見的麒麟花同為大戟科,而綠珊瑚光滑無刺,受傷會分泌白色乳汁,因具有毒性,避免誤食而中毒。乳汁可用來製作生物柴油,作為能源替代品。

The Chinese name of Firestick Plant is named after the green fleshy branches which resemble corals. It seemingly doesn’t have leaves, in fact, there are tiny leaves on the shoots, but fall off very quickly, hence the illusion of no leaves. The plant relies on chlorophyll-rich branches to conduct photosynthesis. Firestick Plant is related to common Christ plant, the both belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, but Firestick plant is smooth and thornless. When injured, it will secrete white milk which is poisonous if ingested accidentally. However, the milk can be used to make biodiesel as an alternative energy.

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簡介 Description

大戟屬落葉喬木,園藝上多作為灌木使用,原產非洲東、南部至阿拉伯半島與印度等地。全株具乳汁。綠色肉質枝外觀形如珊瑚。互生長橢圓狀線形葉,稀疏生長於嫩枝上,主要以綠色樹枝行光合作用生長。

A deciduous tree in the genus Euphorbia. It is mostly used as a shrub in horticulture. Native to eastern and southern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and India. The whole plant contains latex. The green fleshy branches appear like corals. Elliptical linear leaves grow oppositely, sparsely growing on the shoots. The plant grows mainly by photosynthesis of the green branches.

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栽培 Cultivation

栽培:適合全日照溫暖環境,高溫生長較迅速。根系忌積水,介質需排水良好並能提供植株支持力。盆栽可於介質乾燥時才澆水。一般不用修剪,如須進行修剪或剪取枝條扦插,要注意勿讓乳汁滴入眼中與沾染皮膚,以免造成傷害。

Suitable for full-sun and warm environments, growing faster in high temperature. Avoid water stagnation on the roots, so the medium soil needs well drained and to be heavy enough to buttress the plant. Potted plants are watered only when the media is dry. Generally, there is no need to trim. If you need to prune or perform the cuttings, be careful not to let the latex drip into the eyes and contaminate the skin to avoid injury.

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應用 Application

造型奇特,宛如海中珊瑚,適合單株使用大型陶、瓦盆種植以彰顯特色。庭園栽培常與其他耐旱性植物設計種植或列植為綠籬,具有良好的阻隔性。

With a unique coral-like look, it’s suitable for planting alone in large pottery and porcelain pots to accentuate the distinctive features. Garden cultivation is often planted with other drought-tolerant plants or planted as a hedgerow with good barrier function.