Euphorbia ingens

Euphorbia ingens, commonly known as the naboom, is a much-branched, stem succulent tree reaching heights around 12 m (SA Tree List No. 351). At the base the trunk may measure 90 cm in diameter. The crown is formed by numerous, erect branchlets densely together with tips forming a rounded to candelabra-shaped crown. The specific name ingens is a Latin word meaning huge, mighty or great, referring to the visual impact of a mature naboom in habitat. 

This is a very prominent member of the plant community in the veld wherever it occurs. When the rest of the bushveld goes bare in winter, the naboom retains its conspicuous presence without colour change. Wind usually elicits very little movement from the rigid stems.

The South African distribution of the species is in KwaZulu-Natal and the provinces north of the Vaal River, the old Transvaal. The tree ranges further north across several African countries in the tropics.

The habitat is variable, deciduous woodland, bushveld and savanna at lower altitudes, the trees often occurring on rocky hills and near termite mounds. The species is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century.

In spite of the toxicity of the white latex that emerges promptly from any damage of the green skin on the stems, indigenous populations have found a way of using fire to set the sap before cutting the branches. The main stems are used for making boats, doors or planks for general use. There is a story that Piet Retief saw King Dingaan sitting on his throne under a big E. ingens tree.

Noors honey from this tree is fairly common as the tree produces so much nectar, but the taste is marred by a burning sensation in the mouth (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).