The Euphorbia Cowboy, also known as the Euphorbia Acrurensis, is a species of plant in the genus Euphorbia and the family Euphorbiaceae. The genus Euphorbia contains close to 2,200 species.
Popularly known as the Desert Candle cactus or Candelabra Bush, the Euphorbia Cowboy can often be confused with its close relatives, such as the Euphorbia Trigona or African Milk Tree.
The Cowboy cactus is a rich green, multi-columnar branching Euphorbia that typically grows to be 1 meter wide and 2 meters tall when mature. The plant has small leaves at the top of each four-sided arm that drop during seasonal changes, but reform in the spring and summer.
While a mature Euphorbia Cowboy may produce small yellow flowers, it may take many years for it to bloom. Growing between 5-15 cm per year in Sydney, it is a suitable plant for privacy screens, filling in dull walls, or for use around pools, on high-rise balconies, or in bright indoor spaces.
Please note that, like all Euphorbia, the Euphorbia Cowboy contains a milky latex sap which should not be ingested and can cause serious irritation to your skin and eyes. Be sure to wash your hands with soap if the sap gets on your skin and avoid rubbing your eyes. Also, this species is not frost-tolerant, so keep it indoors if you live in a region that experiences frosty winters.
