Today is Tree Tuesday - well, it is where I am for about an hour and a half.
Since I am (almost) cheating on the day, I decided to cheat on the tree part as well.
Did you see the picture? It does look like a tree, right? Tall, reaching higher than the house.
It is so tall that it grew right out of the picture!!!
It must be a tree!!!
But no. It is: Fire Sticks, Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea', Red Pencil Tree, Pencil Tree, Milkbush, Milk Bush, Finger Tree, Sticks of Fire 'Rosea' Resembling sea coral
All those names are for the same plant - the one pictured here. And it does have a couple of names which call it a tree.
But, alas, it is not. It is a succulent which will grow and grow and grow - until it is taller than your house.
Native to Africa, it can thrive with little water which makes it a popular plant in drought-ridden southern California. It is a pretty plant, but watch out. Its sap is poisonous and can cause skin rashes and blindness if one gets it in the eyes.
Personally, I don't grow it since there are too many little kids at my place. But if I had livestock, as in cattle and goats - they seem to like to eat it.
Another interesting fact is that the sap can be converted to gasoline. Now, that would be an interesting project to pursue since it can grow on land where nothing else will thrive. And it grows fast and is a renewable resource.
This is a plant a modern homesteader or prepper should consider - that is if they can figure out how to convert the sap to gasoline. Of course, they have to live in a warm climate.
The plant was also used for medicinal purposes but it seems that the research leans toward it being more harmful than useful. Personally, I would look for a more proven plant medicine.
Have you used this plant to feed to your animals? If yes, did you harvest it and take it to them - or did you take the animals to the plants?
#TreeTuesday was started by @old-guy-photos and is a lot of fun!!
Join us for the daily 5 - Minute Freewrite. Check my profile for a new prompt every day.
All images are my own unless otherwise cited.
My recent posts
I will be a Speaker at the Creator Conference in Las Vegas
If you find a post after the seven days, please consider upvoting a more recent post.
#SoCalSteemit is building and supporting the Steemit community of Southern California. If you are from SoCal and are into creating quality content here on Steemit, we'd love for you to follow us @SoCalSteemit and join our group on Discord!
Click on the graphics to vote for Enginewitty as a witness
Want to earn sweat coin by walking outside? Join here
Listen to the Sustainable Living Podcast here!
Join me in Las Vegas at the Steem Creators Conference
