Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_euphorbia_lactea
Milk-striped euphorbia
Euphorbia lactea
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About Milk-striped euphorbia
Milk-striped euphorbia (Euphorbia lactea) is an introduced tree treated as naturalized on Kauaʻi by Bishop Museum’s 2025 checklist and the 2026 Smithsonian checklist. Current extent is unassessed. A widely cultivated succulent associated with seasonally dry tropical settings; its precise wild origin is unresolved in some flora treatments. Broken tissues exude milky latex.
Kauaʻi evidence
Taxonomic identity, tree form, diagnostic morphology and island occurrence use the linked reviewed sources. Historical planting, cultivation, naturalization and invasive status are separate. Generated imagery is not occurrence evidence.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia lactea
- Common names
- milk striped euphorbia · mottled candlestick tree · Milk-striped euphorbia
- Other names
- Euphorbia lactea · Milk-striped euphorbia · milk striped euphorbia · mottled candlestick tree
- Record type
- Species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Recorded on Kauaʻi
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence date
- 2026-10-05
- Evidence limits
- Current extent is unassessed; public locality is island level only.
Habitat and ecology
- Habitats
- Not yet assessed
- Food and resource needs
- Not yet assessed
- Reproduction
- Not yet assessed
- Shelter
- Not yet assessed
- Growth form
- confirmed tree scope
Threats and conservation
- Monitoring
- Not yet assessed
- Data gaps
- Current population extent and trajectory · Additional species-specific ecological and conservation sources
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal timing
- Not yet assessed
- Seasonal description
- Milk-striped euphorbia (Euphorbia lactea) is an introduced tree treated as naturalized on Kauaʻi by Bishop Museum’s 2025 checklist and the 2026 Smithsonian checklist. Current extent is unassessed. A widely cultivated succulent associated with seasonally dry tropical settings; its precise wild origin is unresolved in some flora treatments. Broken tissues exude milky latex.