Definition

1. Noun:
   • Botanical name: A common Vietnamese name for the plant species Euphorbia tirucalli, also known as milk bush, pencil cactus, or firestick plant. It is a succulent shrub or small tree characterized by its pencil-thin, cylindrical, green branches that contain a toxic, milky latex sap.
   • Literal meaning: The term "xương khô" literally translates to "dry bone," which descriptively refers to the plant's leafless, bare, and bone-like appearance, especially during drier periods.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cây xương khô thường được trồng làm hàng rào. (The milk bush is often planted as a hedge.)
  • Nhựa cây xương khô có thể gây kích ứng da và mắt. (The sap of the pencil cactus can cause skin and eye irritation.)
  • Tên "xương khô" miêu tả hình dáng khẳng khiu của loài cây này. (The name "dry bone" describes the gaunt shape of this plant.)

Advanced Usage

• The plant is sometimes used in traditional medicine in various cultures, but such use requires extreme caution due to its high toxicity.

Variants and Related Words

• Cây xương khô: The full term, with "cây" meaning "tree" or "plant."
• Euphorbia tirucalli: The scientific botanical name.
• Pencil cactus / Milk bush / Firestick plant: Common English names.

Synonyms

• Milk bush
• Pencil cactus
• Firestick plant
• Indian tree spurge
• (scientific name)

Notes

• Warning: (xương khô) is highly toxic. Its milky white sap is a severe irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Ingestion can cause serious poisoning. It should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.