Identification: ID and care

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by kylej1, Jan 4, 2008.

  1. kylej1

    kylej1 Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Toledo, Ohio USA
    I have a house plant I'm trying to ID. It is a type of cacti I believe. It is an upright clump about one foot tall with thorns all the way up the stem. The leaves have very short petioles and look as though they are almost whorled around the stem. The leaves are smooth leathery and have entire margins, they are about 3 inches in length and about 3/4 of an inch wide. It is almost always in bloom with small pink terminally born flowers. I wasn't watering it much because I thought it was a type of cactus but it started dropping its leaves. It has done better since I started watering it more. Can somebody help me out?
     
  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,511
    Likes Received:
    235
    Location:
    sw USA
    Hello kylej1,

    Definitely not a cactus--cactus never have actual leaves. Your plant might be Euphorbia milii. They are fairly common in the market and in bloom much of the time.
     
  3. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    6,107
    Likes Received:
    669
    Location:
    Vancouver BC Canada
    I believe Pereskia is an exception to the rule.
     
  4. kylej1

    kylej1 Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Toledo, Ohio USA
    Euphorbia milii is correct. Thank you very much. I was right about the moisture, watering regularly helps it retain it's leaves. Pereskia could be an exception, thanks for the responses.
     
  5. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,511
    Likes Received:
    235
    Location:
    sw USA
    I stand corrected. Thanks Junglekeeper. I don't remember where I heard that no cactus had leaves, but it is clearly incorrect. I really don't know much about cactus. Pereskioideae is an interesting subfamily of Cactaceae that have true leaves and may the earliest members of the family.

    Pereskiopsis, Maihuenia, Quiabentia and Austrocylindropuntia are other genera of Cactaceae that have leaves.
     

Share This Page