Not all plants need extravagant flowers or luscious leaves to stand out. This green shrub will prove that simplicity and uniqueness are enough to conquer a spot in anyone’s garden.
Native to Africa, Pencil Cactus is known for its toxic sap, alongside its medicinal benefits for treating a series of problems and diseases.
It consists of stiff and branching round green stems and sparse or absent leaves. It is mostly green, but bright direct sunlight can give it orange to reddish tints. This unique nature helps with unambiguous identification.
When it’s still young, they have a succulent-like texture that progressively becomes woodier as it matures. It bears small, rare flowers that are insignificant. Unlike most plants, this plant’s photosynthesis is done by the stems due to the absence of leaves.
