Euphorbiaceae
African milk tree
Euphorbia trigona
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus
- Euphorbia
Pets and kids
- CatsNot sure
- DogsNot sure
- KidsToxic
Why
Cats: Not sure
We found no reliable source on this plant for cats, so we don't call it safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked with your vet.
Dogs: Not sure
We found no reliable source on this plant for dogs, so we don't call it safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked with your vet.
Kids: Toxic
Toxic to young children (moderate). Toxic principle: diterpenoid euphorbol esters.
Signs: skin irritation, blisters, eye irritation, vomiting, convulsions.
Is yours looking unwell? Scan your plant — free
Is African milk tree safe for cats, dogs and kids?
Is African milk tree safe for cats?
We found no reliable source on this plant for cats, so we don't call it safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked with your vet.
Is African milk tree safe for dogs?
We found no reliable source on this plant for dogs, so we don't call it safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked with your vet.
Is African milk tree safe for kids?
No. Our sources call African milk tree toxic to young children (moderate). Toxic principle: diterpenoid euphorbol esters. Signs: skin irritation, blisters, eye irritation, vomiting, convulsions.
Ate some? Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). For a child, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). If they are struggling to breathe or collapse, call 911. Don't give anything by mouth unless a vet or poison expert tells you to.
See all cat-safe plants, dog-safe plants and child-safe plants.
Similar names and close relatives
A shared name doesn't mean a shared answer: check the exact plant.
- Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrimasame genusCats: Mildly toxic; Dogs: Mildly toxic; Kids: Mildly toxic
- Christplant Euphorbia miliisame genusCats: Mildly toxic; Dogs: Mildly toxic; Kids: Mildly toxic
Common names
By language (14)
- arz
- الفربيون تريجونا
- Bulgarian
- Триъгълна млечка
- Cantonese
- 三角大戟
- Chinese
- 彩云阁, 彩雲閣, 三角大戟, 巴西龙骨
- Danish
- Trekantsøjle, Cowboy-kaktus
- English
- African milk tree, Abyssinian euphorbia, Cathedral cactus, High chaparall
- Finnish
- Pylvästyräkki
- German
- Dreikantige Wolfsmilch
- Indonesian
- Susuru
- Japanese
- サイウンカク
- Macedonian
- Африканска млечка
- Persian
- افوربیا تریگونا
- Russian
- Молочай треугольный, Молочай трехгранный, Молочай трёхгранный
- Swedish
- Trekantseuforbia, High chaparral, Trekanteuforbia
Synonyms
- Euphorbia hermentiana Lem.
- Euphorbia hormentiana Lem.
Photos
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Yoannis Domínguez, CC BY 4.0, from iNaturalist 
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: rakshith pawar, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Pl@ntNet via GBIF 
Photo: Alex Fernando, CC0, from iNaturalist 
Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: irshad alam, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Pl@ntNet via GBIF 
Photo: julianazuluaga-carrero, CC BY-SA 4.0, from iNaturalist 
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: anilkumar ayyappan, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Pl@ntNet via GBIF 
Photo: Xavier JAPIOT, CC BY 4.0, from iNaturalist 
Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
More in Euphorbia
- PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrimaEuphorbiaceae
- ChristplantEuphorbia miliiEuphorbiaceae
- Madwoman's milkEuphorbia helioscopiaEuphorbiaceae
- Asthma weedEuphorbia hirtaEuphorbiaceae
- Indiantree spurgeEuphorbia tirucalliEuphorbiaceae
- Cypress spurgeEuphorbia cyparissiasEuphorbiaceae
- Wood spurgeEuphorbia amygdaloidesEuphorbiaceae
- Caper spurgeEuphorbia lathyrisEuphorbiaceae
- Petty spurgeEuphorbia peplusEuphorbiaceae
- Leafy spurgeEuphorbia esulaEuphorbiaceae
- Albanian spurgeEuphorbia characiasEuphorbiaceae
- Marsh spurgeEuphorbia palustrisEuphorbiaceae
Sources: classification, synonyms from World Flora Online Plant List (2026-06, CC0 1.0); common names, popularity from Wikidata (2026-10-26, CC0 1.0). About our plant data.