Candelabra trees can be found in dry deciduous and evergreen open wooded grasslands, on rocky slopes and on rare occasions termite mounds.

[8] This is an unusual habitat for tall succulents, as they have been proven to typically be poor invaders of frequently burned stands of land.

Its wood is light and durable, with a number of purposes including roofing, tables, doors, matches, boxes, mortars, musical instruments and saddles.

[12] Its flowers produce nectar, but ingestion of E. candelabrum honey can cause a burning sensation in the mouth that is only intensified by drinking water.

[13] A study done in Queen Elizabeth Park in West Uganda found that much of the damage done to E. candelabrum trees can be attributed to the feeding patterns of baboons.

In addition to this, baboon feeding patterns affect the life cycle of E. candelabrum flowers and often causes sterility in many of the young stems.

On top of blistering and irritation, ingenol products demonstrate tumour-promoting activity, causing cells to resist apoptosis and continue multiplying.

[15] In folk medicine, in addition to being used as a purgative to cure syphilis or a salve to treat leprosy, E. candelabrum sap has been used in the treatment of coughs, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV infections.