Name this plant?

[jenn]

My parents have had this fantastic plant for many years, my father did not want it anymore, so it is now my mystery plant. I have asked very knowledgeable people all over, but not one person seems to know what it. The only thing we all guess is some kind of succulent.
Can you name this mystery plant?

[Orchidzrule]

Hi Jenn,

I certainly can't give you a definite ID as to species, but I *think* it may well be in the Euphorbia family. As you may well know, this is a hugely diverse group with various spurges, poinsettia & crown-of-thorns being some of the representatives. The leaves (and to a much lesser extent) of the last remind me a bit of your plant. I stress, though, I'm far from certain. Does it ever flower? Flowers are better for plant ID than just the leaves & stems.

Cheers,

Rob

[jenn]

Yes, I will post a photo of the flowers. They aren't very attractive. The plant shoots seeds with great force all over the living-room. When the seeds land on soil they will frequently sprout and grow into new mystery plants. Sorry my digital camera is not very good, but you can see the flowers all around the base of the leaves; they have a somewhat fringed look.

[WolfinKW]

george gingleheimer schmidt von-wanglemeir IV or George for short.

Neat plant not a clue as to what it is botanically though.

[Orchidzrule]

Hi again, Jenn,

I'm even less sure it's a Euphorbia now after seeing the flowers. (Not that I was *really* sure in the first place!) Actually, there is a way to eliminate Euphorbia as a candidate. If you break off a leaf or stem of any Euphorbia, it'll ooze white latex sap. If your plant doesn't, it's not a Euphorbia. (Unfortunately, if it does, it doesn't prove it is a Euphorbia because a few other plants will also do this--rubber trees are a well-known example, but milkweeds also do this.

Cheers,

Rob

[jenn]

Hello Rob,
Sorry the pictures are blurred. I does have white latex sap. Interesting...I think you may be correct in thinking it belongs to the Euphorbia family. Thank you

Wolf, you crack me up.

[Diane]

Say Jenn, you said it spits seeds out - do you have any extras? I'd like to try growing a mystery plant myself. Perhaps I could buy them or trade something?

[jenn]

I do have extras. This plant loves to reproduce. I will attach photos of my current "batch" of seedlings. I give them away to friends often. To answer Wolf, yes, the sap does make your skin tingle a bit when I touch it, even though I don't have latex allergies.

[WolfinKW]

latex sap, be carefull if you have latex allergies it can be a nasty reaction... I know with the rubber tree that sap burns even if you don't have allergies.