Swahili
mtongotongo
m-ton-go-TON-go
How to say it
Swahilimtongotongom-ton-go-TON-gosoon
Englishcandelabra plantsoon
Frencheuphorbe candélabresoon
Meaning
a candelabra-shaped succulent plant of the spurge family (Euphorbia abyssinica), whose sap is irritant.
Good to know
often planted as a living fence because livestock avoid its toxic sap.
Examples
- Wakulima hupanda mtongotongo kuzuia mifugo.Farmers plant mtongotongo to keep livestock out.
- Usiguse utomvu wa mtongotongo, ni sumu.Don't touch the sap of the mtongotongo, it's poisonous.
- Je, mtongotongo huu una miaka mingapi?How old is this mtongotongo plant?
Not yet checked by a native speaker.