Euphorbia ammak aka African Candelabra

Euphorbia ammak is a succulent tree in the spurge family. People call it candelabra spurge or African candelabra. It comes from western Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen. It grows in dry shrubland, on rocky plains and steep slopes. It also grows in thorny bushland. LLIFLE reports that its numbers have fallen in Saudi Arabia and southern Yemen. It remains common in some parts of northern Yemen.

This tree can reach 33 feet [10 metres] tall. The evidence gives no size range just for garden plants. A short trunk holds a wide crown of upright branches. The shape looks like a candelabra, but with rather few branches. The thick stems span about 0.3–0.5 feet [0.10–0.15 metres] across. Branches start around 2 feet [0.6 metres] above ground. They curve upward. The dark green stems have four thick, wavy wings. Brown spines grow in pairs along the toothed edges. Each spine can reach about 0.03 feet [0.01 metres] long.

Leaves may grow near branch tips in warm, wet weather. Each leaf is simple, with a narrow, lance-like shape. Seedling leaves reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] long. Leaves on young shoots are smaller. Small groups of yellow-green flowers grow just above the spine pairs. Each fleshy group has five glands. Female flowers have a pistil with three parts. It sits above an ovary, also with three parts. They can form three or more seeds. The small, smooth fruits are green. Each has two or three chambers.

Grow this tree in full sun and soil that drains well. It can also take some shade. Give shade-grown plants more sun in stages to avoid scorch. LLIFLE calls for an airy mix made mostly of mineral matter. Pumice and lava grit are examples. Use little organic matter. Water while the plant grows, from March through September. Do not let water stand around the roots. Keep the plant almost dry through winter. Young plants can grow indoors but may soon reach the ceiling.

LLIFLE says this plant is easy to grow and long-lived. It grows at a fairly fast pace. Its large size and branched form give it value in landscape planting. Choose a spot out of strong wind. Wind can knock stems together and leave scars that last. A strong red tint may mean roots have grown poorly. Take cuttings to grow new plants in late spring or summer. Let cut ends dry for one or two weeks before planting. Use loose, dry soil that drains very well.