Euphorbia abyssinica, commonly known as the desert candle or candelabra spurge,[3] is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae.

[11] In the same work, Brown described five other species of Euphorbia that he considered distinct from E. officinarum, but which Plants of the World Online treated as synonyms of E. abyssinica, as of March 2021[update]: E. acrurensis, E. controversa, E. disclusa, E. erythraeae (elevated from a variety) and E. neglecta.

It is found on arid hillsides, in montane woodland and on scrubby savannahs, sometimes in dense groves and other times growing by itself.

[5] Euphorbia abyssinica is cultivated as an ornamental house plant,[15] being promoted for its architectural form and ease of maintenance.

[17] In its native countries, the woody tree-like stem is used for firewood and as timber in roofing, furniture, wooden saddles and other items.

[6] This is because the sap contains the growth regulator hormone indole-3-acetic acid; branches and twigs that become detached root easily, and the plant is sometimes used to form a living fence.

[19] When propagated by cuttings, E. abyssinica does not develop the distinctive trunk different in appearance from the branches that is characteristic of naturally occurring plants.